Single molecule’s stunning image

The detailed chemical structure of a single molecule has been imaged for the first time, say researchers.

Even the bonds to the hydrogen atoms at the pentacene’s periphery can be seen

The physical shape of single carbon nanotubes has been outlined before, using similar techniques - but the new method even shows up chemical bonds.

The IBM researchers report their findings in the journal Science.

It is the same group that in July reported the feat of measuring the charge on a single atom.

Charge on single atoms measured 15 Jun 09 |  Science & Environment

The measurement requires extremes of precision. In order to avoid the effects of stray gas molecules bounding around, or the general atomic-scale jiggling that room-temperature objects experience, the whole setup has to be kept under high vacuum and at blisteringly cold temperatures.

Although the approach can trace out the ethereal bonds that connect atoms, it cannot distinguish between atoms of different types. Read more at news.bbc.co.uk