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Atom-moving Marks 20 Years

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 28, 2009 -- Twenty years ago today, IBM Fellow Don Eigler became the first person in history to move and control an individual atom, an ability that heralded the age of nanotechnology. Eigler built his scanning tunneling microscope (STM) in order to visualize and experiment with individual molecules and atoms. As he experimented, he discovered that it was possible to slide individual atoms across a surface using the tip of his STM. To demonstrate both the atomic precision and reproducibility he achieved, on Nov. 11, 1989, he wrote the letters "IBM" with 35 xenon atoms, each positioned with...Read full article

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    Published: September 2009
    Glossary
    nano
    An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
    nanotechnology
    The use of atoms, molecules and molecular-scale structures to enhance existing technology and develop new materials and devices. The goal of this technology is to manipulate atomic and molecular particles to create devices that are thousands of times smaller and faster than those of the current microtechnologies.
    photonics
    The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fiber optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics, and sophisticated systems. The range of applications of photonics extends from energy generation to detection to communications and...
    positioning
    Positioning generally refers to the determination or identification of the location or placement of an object, person, or entity in a specific space or relative to a reference point. The term is used in various contexts, and the methods for positioning can vary depending on the application. Key aspects of positioning include: Spatial coordinates: Positioning often involves expressing the location of an object in terms of spatial coordinates. These coordinates may include dimensions such as...
    transmission
    In optics, the conduction of radiant energy through a medium. Often denotes the percentage of energy passing through an element or system relative to the amount that entered. See transmission efficiency.
    xenon
    A rare gas used in small high-pressure arc lamps to produce a high-intensity source of light closely resembling the color quality of daylight.
    atomatomic-scaleBasic SciencebiosensorsBusinesscomputer chipscontrolDon EiglerEmploymentIBMinformation storageMicroscopymoleculemovenanonanoscalenanosciencenanotechnologyNews & FeaturesphotonicspositioningprocessingResearch & TechnologySensors & DetectorsSTMstorage devicesTest & MeasurementtransmissionXenon

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