University of Otago scientists have made a “major physics breakthrough” with the development of a technique to consistently isolate and capture a fast-moving single atom. A team of four researchers from the university’s physics department are believed to be the first to isolate and photograph the Rubidium 85 atom. The three-year project used laser cooling technology to slow a group of atoms, before a laser beam, or “optical tweezers”, isolated and held one atom. Lead researcher Mikkel Andersen said individual atoms were consistently isolated, which meant “a major step”… Read more