Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Science

Helium Beam Shows the Gentle, Sensitive Touch

A. Watson

Published Dec 3, 1999• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

A microscope with unprecedented sensitivity, based on a beam of atoms rather than light or electrons, is a step closer to reality thanks to a German collaboration that has coaxed helium atoms into an intense, needle-fine beam. In contrast to energetic probes such as x-rays or electrons, helium atoms bounce lightly off the target surface without damaging it, so an atom-beam microscope would be a unique instrument for examining surface structures nonintrusively, such as watching the buzzing vibrations on the surface of the minute crystals in metals, say researchers.

DOI
10.1126/science.286.5446.1831

Related papers

Spin - polarized metastable helium atom beam for ultimately surface - sensitive probing

Yasuhiro Yamauchi, Mitsunori Kurahashi, Tetta Suzuki +1 more

한국진공학회 학술발표회초록집•Aug 1, 2003•0 citations

Atom Optics

David E. Pritchard

A large-aperture liquid-He coated spherical mirror and a room-temperature bent-gold crystal have been used to focus atom beams of H and He, respectively. They are described elsewhere in this symposium. Many of the new optical elements for atoms rely on the mechanical forces of light; mirrors are one example. When atoms approach the surface of glass that has intense blue-detuned light inside, they recoil from the evanescent wave that extends several wavelengths past the surface and into the vacuum. The atoms are never close enough to the surface to be affected by its atomic attraction or its small-scale irregularities. When a highly collimated beam of sodium atoms is directed at a standing wave of light near its resonance frequency, the angular scattering pattern of the atoms exhibits the characteristics of diffraction from a short sinusoidal grating. Diffraction orders up to ~20 have been observed at high light intensities. In contrast to phase gratings made with light, material absorption gratings are amplitude gratings.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1990•0 citations

Focusing Helium Atom Beams Using Single Crystal Surfaces

Bodil Holst, William Allison

Springer eBooks•Jan 1, 2001•1 citation

The use of a high-Rydberg lithium beam and a fine mesh target to probe atom-surface interactions

Charles Robert Taylor

•Jun 3, 1987•0 citations

Designs for a quantum electron microscope

P. Kruit, Richard G. Hobbs, Chung-Soo Kim +11 more

One of the astounding consequences of quantum mechanics is that it allows the detection of a target using an incident probe, with only a low probability of interaction of the probe and the target. This 'quantum weirdness' could be applied in the field of electron microscopy to generate images of beam-sensitive specimens with substantially reduced damage to the specimen. A reduction of beam-induced damage to specimens is especially of great importance if it can enable imaging of biological specimens with atomic resolution. Following a recent suggestion that interaction-free measurements are possible with electrons, we now analyze the difficulties of actually building an atomic resolution interaction-free electron microscope, or "quantum electron microscope". A quantum electron microscope would require a number of unique components not found in conventional transmission electron microscopes. These components include a coherent electron beam-splitter or two-state-coupler, and a resonator structure to allow each electron to interrogate the specimen multiple times, thus supporting high success probabilities for interaction-free detection of the specimen. Different system designs are presented here, which are based on four different choices of two-state-couplers: a thin crystal, a grating mirror, a standing light wave and an electro-dynamical pseudopotential. Challenges for the detailed electron optical design are identified as future directions for development. While it is concluded that it should be possible to build an atomic resolution quantum electron microscope, we have also identified a number of hurdles to the development of such a microscope and further theoretical investigations that will be required to enable a complete interpretation of the images produced by such a microscope.

arXiv:1510.05946•Ultramicroscopy•Mar 9, 2016•161 citations

Cold-atom microscope feels the heat

Physicists in Germany have invented a new kind of microscope that uses a gas of extremely cold atoms to map the surface of nanoscale structures.

Physics World•Jul 1, 2011•0 citations
A microscope with unprecedented sensitivity, based on a beam of atoms rather than light or electrons, is a step closer to reality thanks to a German collaboration that has coaxed helium atoms into an intense, needle-fine beam. In contrast to energetic probes such as x-rays or electrons, helium atoms bounce lightly off the target surface without damaging it, so an atom-beam microscope would be a unique instrument for examining surface structures nonintrusively, such as watching the buzzing vibrations on the surface of the minute crystals in metals, say researchers.
A large-aperture liquid-He coated spherical mirror and a room-temperature bent-gold crystal have been used to focus atom beams of H and He, respectively. They are described elsewhere in this symposium. Many of the new optical elements for atoms rely on the mechanical forces of light; mirrors are one example. When atoms approach the surface of glass that has intense blue-detuned light inside, they recoil from the evanescent wave that extends several wavelengths past the surface and into the vacuum. The atoms are never close enough to the surface to be affected by its atomic attraction or its small-scale irregularities. When a highly collimated beam of sodium atoms is directed at a standing wave of light near its resonance frequency, the angular scattering pattern of the atoms exhibits the characteristics of diffraction from a short sinusoidal grating. Diffraction orders up to ~20 have been observed at high light intensities. In contrast to phase gratings made with light, material absorption gratings are amplitude gratings.
One of the astounding consequences of quantum mechanics is that it allows the detection of a target using an incident probe, with only a low probability of interaction of the probe and the target. This 'quantum weirdness' could be applied in the field of electron microscopy to generate images of beam-sensitive specimens with substantially reduced damage to the specimen. A reduction of beam-induced damage to specimens is especially of great importance if it can enable imaging of biological specimens with atomic resolution. Following a recent suggestion that interaction-free measurements are possible with electrons, we now analyze the difficulties of actually building an atomic resolution interaction-free electron microscope, or "quantum electron microscope". A quantum electron microscope would require a number of unique components not found in conventional transmission electron microscopes. These components include a coherent electron beam-splitter or two-state-coupler, and a resonator structure to allow each electron to interrogate the specimen multiple times, thus supporting high success probabilities for interaction-free detection of the specimen. Different system designs are presented here, which are based on four different choices of two-state-couplers: a thin crystal, a grating mirror, a standing light wave and an electro-dynamical pseudopotential. Challenges for the detailed electron optical design are identified as future directions for development. While it is concluded that it should be possible to build an atomic resolution quantum electron microscope, we have also identified a number of hurdles to the development of such a microscope and further theoretical investigations that will be required to enable a complete interpretation of the images produced by such a microscope.