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Unknown interactions between atoms observed for the first time!

In January, researchers announced that they had observed the creation of a chemical bond for the first time. Today, other physicists reveal that they have managed to keep atoms in place. They then witnessed unknown interactions between them.

of the lasers, mirrors, a vacuum chamber, microscopes. A lot of time,energy and expertise. That's what it took physicists of the University of Otago (Canada) to achieve, for the first time, to maintain carbon individual in place. Atoms of rubidium (Rb). A unique opportunity to study complex atomic interactions never before observed.

The researchers trapped three atoms cooled to a temperature barely above the absolute zero. They were then able to slowly bring them closer to each other and observe their behavior. Two of the atoms have fused to form a molecule. But the three atoms gained energy through the reaction. “Two atoms alone cannot form a molecule. At least three are needed, explains Marvin Weyland, physicist, in a press release from the University of Otago. For the first time, we were able to study this process in isolation. Results that we had not observed with a large number of atoms appeared. "

Theories to be clarified

Researchers now know more about how atoms collide and react to each other individually. What soon imagine to assemble and control single molecules to build, in the future, technologies toatomic scale.

What the physicists from the University of Otago in particular observed is that it takes more time than expected to form a molecule. They do have some ideas of the mechanisms that could explain this departure from established theories. A subtle interaction between atomic forces and the way researchers have isolated atoms. But further experiments and further calculations will be necessary to understand the phenomenon completely.

This will also interest you

Interview: what is the origin of atoms? Atoms are present all around us. These tiny fragments of matter form planets, objects, living things, etc. However, they have not always existed in this form. ABSMARTHEALTH-Sciences interviewed Roland Lehoucq, astrophysicist, to tell us about the birth of atoms in stars.

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