Scientists capture world`s first atom shadow
Baku, July 4 (AZERTAC). Scientists have captured the first ever image of an atom shadow, which could assist in the development of quantum computing and provide answers for the future of biological imaging.
Researchers from the Centre for Quantum Dynamics at Griffith University in Brisbane, Queensland, captured the image using their custom-built ion trap, which was also responsible for capturing the highest-resolution image of a single atom last year.
“The question is, how many atoms do you need to cast a shadow? We found that it only takes one,” said David Kielpinski co-author of the paper, which was published in Nature Communications.
“We know exactly how an atom works in theory, and the shadow that we saw was exactly what it ought to be in practice.”
Scientists have long known that imaging the shadow (also known as absorption imaging) can provide more information compared to other forms of optical imaging. That`s because it is easier to calculate how much light (or information) is absent in the presence of an object, than to capture all of the light bouncing off it.
This atomic information is helpful for the construction of a large-scale quantum computer.
A quantum computer would operate by manipulating the quantum states of single atoms to relay information and perform computations - potentially providing a vast advancement on current computer systems.
“Anytime you shine the right wavelength of light past an atom, it`s going to cast a shadow,” said Kielpinski. “It`s just a question of whether the resolution of your imaging apparatus is good enough.”
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