Atomic diameter-scale measurements

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of creating a gap of one atom's diameter between two objects, emphasizing the necessity for perfect flat crystal surfaces. It highlights the implications of quantum mechanics, stating that atoms do not possess a defined size, complicating the measurement of distances at atomic scales. The conversation also notes that while imaging techniques can capture such measurements, the interpretation of these images becomes complex at this scale.

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TL;DR
Can be a length as short as diameter of atom measured out with today's technology?
To be more precise: can we put two objects together so there will be a space with width of one (or some number below 10) atom's diameter(s) between them?
 
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For the question to make sense, you would need the surface of each object to be perfect, following a flat crystal plane. Then, because of quantum mechanics, an atom doesn't have a defined size. By the time the two surfaces would at about the atom-atom distance in the crystal, they would already be consider to be touching each other.
 
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Well, kind of yes.
1700051306692.gif

Images can be made so measurements can be taken, but with this size it's already no longer simple what will an image show or what will a measurement measure.
 
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