May 21, 2026
Electron beams rearrange atoms in a 3D crystal
Physics World highlights research showing how ultra-precise electron beams can reposition atoms inside a crystal lattice, creating structures not found in nature.
Categories:
In the Media
The new technique uses a sophisticated set of algorithms to direct an electron beam at a target atom with a precision of a few picometers (one trillionth of a meter).
Courtesy of the researchers
A new method for precisely moving columns of individual atoms within a material could give rise to exotic quantum properties and shed light on quantum behavior, reports Tim Wogan for Physics World. “I’m excited because of the scalability of this that allows us to look at the interactions between the defects rather than just creating a defect itself,” explains Frances Ross.
Read the full story in Physics World.