The Cambridge research team introduced a new technology that can track the motion of a single atom in real time.

A research team from Cambridge University has just published an article in Physical Review Letters, describing how they capture the motion of atoms, which is eight orders of magnitude faster than traditional microscopes. SCI Tech Daily points out that researchers use techniques similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track the motion of a single atom in real time. In addition, these atoms gather together to form a two-dimensional substance, so it is only the thickness of a single layer of atoms.

Study chart-1: traditional 0.09ML diffraction scanning.

The research team said that this technology may promote the design of new materials and the development of quantum technology equipment. It is reported that two-dimensional materials represented by graphene have unique properties (such as excellent conductivity and strength) and have great potential in improving the performance of existing devices and new equipment.

In addition, from biosensing, drug delivery to quantum information/quantum computing, two-dimensional materials have quite broad application prospects. However, in order to maximize the potential of two-dimensional materials, we need to fine-tune their properties through controllable growth process.

Dr. Nadav Avidor, a senior author from Cavendish Laboratory of Cambridge University, pointed out: "Although this is not a brand-new technology, it has never been used to measure the growth of two-dimensional materials before."

These materials usually "jump" on the supporting substrate in the form of atoms until they are attached to the growing clusters. If this process can be monitored quickly and effectively, scientists can better control the quality of materials.

Study Figure -2: There is a slow decay rate near the edge of Brillouin zone.

Unfortunately, for most materials, this process happens so fast and the temperature is so high that the progress can only be tracked by freezing the snapshot of the surface. That is to say, only a moment can be captured, not the whole process.

The good news is that the Cambridge research team has just achieved real-time tracking in the industrial temperature range. Specifically, they used a technique called Helium Spin Echo. In the past 15 years, this technology has been continuously developed in Cambridge.

In principle, it is very similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), except that the helium atom beam is used to "illuminate" the target surface (similar to the light source in a common microscope).

Dr Nadav Avidor added: "With this technology, we can carry out real-time experiments similar to nuclear magnetic resonance imaging when atoms fly away. Imagine that the photons in the light source are aimed at the sample and then return to your eyes, so you can know what happened to the sample. "

Research Map -3: Relative Probability Based on Marginal Bayesian Method

In this study, Nadav Avidor and his colleagues used helium atoms instead of photons to observe what happened on the surface of the sample. Through the interaction between helium and the atoms on the surface of the substance, the motion of the surface substance can be inferred.

The researchers recorded the spontaneous rupture and formation of oxygen clusters using oxygen atoms moving on the surface of ruthenium metal. It is only a few atoms in size, and these atoms spread rapidly between clusters.

Nadav Avidor said that although this is not a brand-new technology, it has never been used to measure the growth of two-dimensional materials before.

Looking back at the history of spectroscopy, the probe technology based on light has completely changed our vision. But the next step, electron-based probes, will reveal more secrets for us.