Atomic-Scale Innovation in Melbourne Collaboration
Researchers from Monash University in Melbourne and the Czech Academy of Sciences have successfully built the world’s smallest scannable QR code, measuring just 50 by 50 nanometres. They accomplished this by precisely positioning individual silver atoms onto a surface, using a scanning tunnelling microscope.
Breakthrough in Nanotechnology
The groundbreaking QR code is over 1000 times narrower than a human hair and significantly smaller than the existing Guinness World Record holder. An ultra-precise scanning tunnelling microscope enabled the team to achieve this feat. This microscope operates under ultra-high vacuum and cryogenic temperatures.
Dr Julian Ceddia, a research fellow at Monash University, stated, “This is a playful demonstration of the extraordinary level of control these microscopes give us at the atomic scale.” The construction process involved positioning silver atoms onto a surface, which allows the QR code to remain scannable by a mobile phone.
Scanning tunnelling microscopes facilitate this by imaging and manipulating matter at an atomic level. According to Dr Oleksandr Stetsovych of the Czech Academy of Sciences, “We very gently brought our probe, coated in silver atoms, into contact with a silver surface. With the right conditions, we can leave behind a single atom exactly where we want it.”
The researchers automated much of the atom placement, but manual adjustments ensured the QR code was completely scannable. Dr Benjamin Lowe from the Czech Academy of Sciences explained, “The automation got us most of the way there. Then we manually adjusted and aligned the final atoms to make the QR code fully scannable.”
This innovation highlights the potential of atomic-scale techniques in future quantum materials and computing. Researchers worldwide are using these techniques to explore quantum behaviours and engineer new electronic states.
In addition to its technical achievements, the project promotes ‘SPM Pro Tips’, encouraging global researchers to share impressive microscopy images and make their work accessible to the public. The atomic QR code links to a gallery where visitors can engage with these contributions.
The research collaboration between Monash University and the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (FZU) in Prague demonstrates a significant step forward in nanotechnology. As a result, it opens new possibilities for the development of quantum materials and next-generation computing.
