Scientists take the first x-ray photo of a single atom

A team of scientists from Ohio University’s Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Illinois at Chicago was able to take an x-ray of just one atom for the first time in history. Such an achievement is truly revolutionary, since X-rays have previously been able to illuminate at least 10,000 atoms.

The results of the study were published in the journal Nature. Scientists also presented the most obtained photo (make the news to the end to see the picture).

Since the discovery of X-rays in the late 1800s, they have been an important tool in many industries. They have proven useful for imaging in medicine, materials science, archeology, and astrophysics.

However, usually X-ray detection methods rely on the interaction of rays with many atoms, since the signal produced by one atom is weak and difficult to distinguish from background noise.

Previously, the greatest achievement of scientists was the enlightenment of 10,000 atoms using X-rays. But the authors of the new study jumped above their heads. Their discovery could potentially revolutionize how scientists and researchers discover materials.

Iron and terbium atoms were used for the study.

In order to photograph just one atom, the scientists had to modify the X-ray detectors with a sharp metal tip to which Synchrotron X-ray Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (SX-STEM) systems were connected. This system is used for nanoscale imaging and material characterization.

Simply put, SX-STEM allows scientists to understand the chemical composition of a material by shining X-rays through it. To do this, the system excites (by providing energy) electrons in the nucleus of an atom, creating a unique imprint. It is through this reflection that scientists can determine the type of elements present in the material being studied.

Also, the study used the method of X-ray excited resonant tunneling (X-ERT) to characterize the chemical states of atoms. This showed that the X-ERT for the iron atom was dominant.

During the study, the scientists noticed that the X-ray signal could only be detected when a specialized tip was placed in close proximity to the atom. This confirmed that the detection was focused on exactly one atom, which was of interest to the researchers.

“This achievement … opens up many interesting avenues of research, including the study of quantum and spin (magnetic) properties of only one atom using synchrotron X-rays,” said lead author of the study, Professor So Wai Hla.

Earlier, GLOBAL HAPPENINGS talked about obtaining the first DNA photo in history.