New Type of Atomic Microscope On the Way

Iddo Genuth writes "Researchers at the Surface Science Laboratory at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid have created an ultrasmooth mirror that could be used to create a revolutionary new atomic microscope within the next several years. The new atomic microscope — using helium atoms for imaging — has the potential to provide the same resolution as existing electron microscopes but without many of the problems which have plagued them for years."

Comments

Re:Wait.... aren't we out of helium?

[lysergic.acid]

i can see it now... millions of children sulking at birthday parties, lifeless balloons trailing behind them on the ground--like so many ball and chains.

will somebody please thing of the children?

Re:Wait.... aren't we out of helium?

[Anonymous Coward]

I use a tactic taught to me by squirrels. I steal helium balloons from children, shove them in my mouth and then try to stuff the gas in a hole I dug in the ground. I haven't tried to recover any yet, but I am certain this is the way to go.

Re:Atomic Microscopes: An Abomination unto G-d?

[Normal Dan]

I like your optimistic point of view. Like you, I too hope one day this can become a reality. Everyone getting along and not being afraid to be who they are. That would be so nice.

*sigh* one can only dream...

Re:Already done

[malvidin]

I thought that electron microscopes would be more beta, while helium ion microscopes would be more alpha.

Does this mean

[i_liek_turtles]

...that the bacteria will have high-pitched voices?

Re:Wait.... aren't we out of helium?

[evilviper]

or did we find more to use in microscopes and other things, like balloons?

Birthday parties and weddings are MUCH more exciting with hydrogen-filled balloons.

Re:Atomic Microscopes: An Abomination unto G-d?

[Anonymous Coward]

RANDOM CHRISTIAN: Jesus told us to love one another, and we do love everyone... except for jews, blacks, chinese, gays, lesbians, catholics, muslims, communists, mexicans, europeans, the french, elitists, plus a random sampling of at least 50% of the rest of the world.

ANOTHER RANDOM CHRISTIAN: Yeah, right on, we're proud to be ignorant!

YET ANOTHER RANDOM CHRISTIAN: Yes, we won't be happy until the entire world is forced to think the way we think. We'll shove christianity down everyone's throats whether they want it or not, after all it's our duty to "save" them.

RANDOM CHRISTIAN: Amen brother. George Orwell would be proud. Franz Kafka would be proud. We will realize their most henious nightmares and preach that as gospel. Let the rapture begin.

ANOTHER RANDOM CHRISTIAN: George who?

Sweet

[mqduck]

has the potential to provide the same resolution as existing electron microscopes but without many of the problems which have plagued them for years

YES! Finally!!!

No time like the present

[Anonymous Coward]

Can we burn this one?

Jack Thompson
5721 Riviera Dr
Coral Gables FL 33146
305-666-4366
amendmentone@comcast.net