Visualize and identify atoms in the same microscope

2007/04/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Fisika

AFM, Atomic force microscope, is one of two precision microscopes of the size of atoms (the other is the tunnel-effect microscope). It allows to visualize the atoms separately, but does not identify what type of atoms are observed. However, it is in the process of change, an international group of physicists has taken the first step. Once the basic composition of the material has been known, an AFM has been developed that identifies the atoms individually, a tool that allows measuring the proportions of the different components of the material.