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:Already done

[malvidin]

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

Re:Already done

[kaneod]

Yep, the idea is to use neutral atoms. Actually people tend to get a bit hung up on the resolution issue - it is true that it is an absolute pain to both focus and detect neutral helium, and other microscopies offer better ultimate resolution.
However, what things like helium ion microscopy and scanning electron microscopy don't offer is absolute surface sensitivity, with almost no damage. An SEM can only be used with conducting samples (yes, you can gold or graphite coat stuff but if you're interested in the surface you're still stuffed) and the beam penetrates a good 30-100 atomic layers so the *surface* resolution is quite limited. Helium ion microscopy is better in that regard but still penetrates quite a few atomic layers and will still damage the surface.
In short, if you're interested in delicate or reactive surfaces, neutral helium is probably the only way to go. The initial resolution won't be great (I believe they're still aiming initially for sub-optical, rather than atomic ;o) ) but that's not really the point.