IBM Scientists First to Image the Anatomy of a Molecule

As reported in the August 28 issue of Science magazine, IBM Research Zurich scientists Leo Gross, Fabian Mohn, Nikolaj Moll and Gerhard Meyer, in collaboration with Peter Liljeroth of Utrecht University, used an AFM operated in an ultrahigh vacuum and at very low temperatures ( 268oC or 451oF) to image the chemical structure of individual pentacene molecules. With their AFM, the IBM scientists, for the first time ever, were able to look through the electron cloud and see the atomic backbone of an individual molecule. While not a direct technological comparison, this is reminiscent of X-rays that pass through soft tissue to enable clear images of bones.

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Science & Technology

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• Pentacene
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• August
• 28
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[NovemberSun346]

This is why I love science :)

[ReyScientio]

Those look like perfectly proportioned geometric figures. That's quite amazing.

[makeiteasyable]

this is science

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[weefek]

@ridelo The microscope in the video is only capable of flat surface measurements, I believe they are working on a more versatile process.

[weefek]

@Alpo6 the black and white variant represents something other than surface depth in this microscope. If you listen to the video Leo explains that the colour gradient represents atomic attraction.

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[Alpo6]

in the image of the pentacene molecule shown, I noticed that the carbon rings on the ends (rings 1 and5) are much lighter in color. From what I know of AFM, a color gradient implies surface depth. Is this suggesting that pentacene is not 'really' as flat as we would expect for such a highly conjugated aromatic system...?

[ridelo]

You can compare it with looking at the Earth from a satellite. We knew the Earth was a sphere before we had satellites. And we knew the shape of molecules like pentacene from chemistry, but now we can see it with our own eyes.