What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of?

Re:What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of? by amelius on Saturday June 25, 2016 @06:58PM (#11978414)

Isn't it possible to make an image using light, but by computing the "real" image from the interference pattern (of a single non-repeating atom/structure)? And if there is more than one solution, then perhaps by using images from multiple angles, or with different wavelengths?

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Re:What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of? by cfallin on Sunday June 26, 2016 @01:50AM (#11979571)

Isn't that basically what X-ray crystallography is (taking the liberty to include X-rays as "light")? Though with the (significant) restriction that it only works for repeating crystal structures, not unique individual targets...

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Re:What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of? by sukilot on Sunday June 26, 2016 @04:47PM (#11982628)

Xrays are human-invisible light, part of the EM spectrum. No liberty needed.

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Re:What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of? by amelius on Sunday June 26, 2016 @05:00AM (#11979957)

Yes, so my question is if we can do it also on individual targets.

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Re:What are “actual pictures” of atoms actually pictures of? by cfallin on Sunday June 26, 2016 @11:37AM (#11981211)

Ah, yes, sorry, I missed your "of a single non-repeating atom" :-)

I'm also curious -- but I wonder, would this allow for imaging anything that a scanning electron microscope can't?

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