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What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of?

askamathematician.com

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Re: What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of?

#51

Post by B1FF_PSUVM »

fluxsauce wrote: post #8

> This technology has been around for decades and, like the advent of the synth, has given rise to all manner of jackassery. What's with the synthesizer hate? That seems random.

> synthesizer hate

Some people feel very strongly that sound should only be produced by natural (non-GMO) organic means, such as rubbing horsehair on catgut, banging sticks on skins or yelling painfully loud.

They're still sore about Moog.

(He was pulling your leg, and so am I. Mostly. Synthpop ... well, least said, soonest mended.)

Re: What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of?

#52

Post by yborg »

polytap wrote: post #26

The strange barb at music synthesizers was uncalled for.

His point was that it is common for a "new" technology to be used just ... because it's there. There was a lot of very bad music made in the early-80s when digital synths became available, and IBM using an AFM to make an advertising blurb could be considered in thie vein.

Re: What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of?

#54

Post by sukilot »

cfallin wrote: post #38
amelius wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't it possible to make an image using light, but by computing the "real" image from the interference pattern (of a single non-repeating atom/structure)? And if there is more than one solution, then perhaps by using images from multiple angles, or with different wavelengths?

Isn't that basically what X-ray crystallography is (taking the liberty to include X-rays as "light")? Though with the (significant) restriction that it only works for repeating crystal structures, not unique individual targets...

Xrays are human-invisible light, part of the EM spectrum. No liberty needed.

Re: What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of?

#57

Post by limeyx »

Pyxl101 wrote: post #25
joncrocks wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I worked in the lab at the Nation Physical Lab in the UK that had the low pressure + low temperature STM, we used to make the tips by dipping the ends in a very strong solution of NaOH. You relied on the surface tension as it dissolved to produce you a very sharp tip. Surprisingly easy.

How do you know if your tip is one atom wide or not? Also, what would the shape of the tip look like if you drew it? I'm wondering what kind of general angles the surface has. Is it like a cone with a single atom at the tip? What kind of slope?

Take a picture of it ?
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