What is the most powerful microscope?
There are two microscopes that can zoom in to a resolution of less than an angstrom (one ten-millionth of a millimetre).
Asked by: Jenny Finnegan, London
Two mega-microscopes spring to mind. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is home to the TEAM 0.5. It’s the most powerful transmission electron microscope in the world and has a resolution of half an angstrom (one ten-millionth of a millimetre). That’s narrower than a single hydrogen atom. And Canada’s McMaster University has two massively powerful Titan 80-300 electron microscopes capable of imaging down to about one angstrom.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Authors
Subscription offer
Subscribe and save 50% on the shop price. Pay just £16.50 every 6 issues by Direct Debit. Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery.