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Scanning electronic microscopes can see and/or manipulate individual atoms. So, the answer to your question is simple: they took a look from the side and confir

• tullatulla 2y ago
  Small correction: Scanning tunneling microscopes can do that. They are basically a very sharp tip scanned across the surface. Scanning electron microscopes, where a beam of electrons is rastered across the surface can not (yet?) resolve atoms.
  • tullatulla 2y ago
    * cannot resolve atoms on a surface, in transmission mode (STEM) and with the right sample, as in the article it's another story.
  • krasin 2y ago
    > Small correction: Scanning tunneling microscopes can do that. Thanks! You're correct.