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Area of Science:

  • Atomic Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Quantum Chemistry

Background:

  • X-ray characterization traditionally requires numerous atoms, limiting analysis of small quantities.
  • Reducing material requirements for X-ray analysis is a significant challenge in materials science.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate X-ray characterization of individual atoms.
  • To achieve elemental and chemical state analysis at the single-atom level.
  • To connect synchrotron X-rays with quantum tunneling for advanced material analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a specialized tip as a detector for X-ray-excited currents.
  • Detected signals from single iron and terbium atoms coordinated to organic ligands.
  • Analyzed X-ray absorption spectra, including L$_{2,3}$ and M$_{4,5}$ absorption edges.

Main Results:

  • Clearly observed single-atom fingerprints in X-ray absorption spectra.
  • Characterized elemental and chemical states of individual iron and terbium atoms.
  • Confirmed atomically localized detection via X-ray-excited resonance tunneling (X-ERT) in the quantum tunneling regime.

Conclusions:

  • Established a method for single-atom X-ray characterization.
  • Connected synchrotron X-rays with quantum tunneling for unprecedented material analysis.
  • Paved the way for simultaneous elemental and chemical characterization at the single-atom limit.