Clocking the Movements of Atoms

Roland Piquepaille writes "With special microscopes, scientists and engineers involved in nanotechnologies have been able to 'see' atoms for a while. But they couldn't clock the atomic response to events which typically occur in nanoseconds. Now, U.S. physicists have found a way to clock the movements of atoms at the nanometer scale. In their experiments, they were able to literally watch atoms switching positions in ferroelectric materials. Adding the dimension of time to the observation of the nanoworld could lead to easier developments of 'materials for improved memory applications in microelectronics.'"

Comments

I figured it out faster

[From A Far Away Land]

"In their experiments, they were able to literally watch atoms switching positions in ferroelectric materials."

I'd have just unplugged all the atoms, and when plugged in again, they'd all start counting from 12:00

At long last...

[Anonymous Coward]

I guess they'll finally be able to see the microscopic chance of the average Slashdot reader getting laid.

How fast are these things moving, really?

[Anonymous Coward]

How fast is one nanometer per nanosecond, in meters per second? I don't have my calculator with me.

Clocking is good, but

[presidentbeef]

What about overclocking those babies?! Whooo!

No longer will atoms be bogged down at the n00b 'factory-spec' speed of light.

Now to find the multiplier...

Finally, some much-needed police funding

[noidentity]

This opens a new source of funding from speeding atoms:

COPper atom: Do you know how fast you were going?
Helium atom (in a high voice): Not at all, officer!

Re:Finally, some much-needed police funding

[AoT]

Helium atom: But I know where I am!

Re:Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

[shadwstalkr]

Maybe.

Re:Snore...

[grammar fascist]

Wake me up when we're OVERclocking atoms.

I boiled some water yesterday.