Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the differences between atomically flat surfaces and optically flat surfaces, exploring definitions and implications of each term. It includes technical explanations and clarifications regarding the characteristics of these surfaces.
Discussion Character
- Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that atomically flat surfaces imply a level of flatness at the atomic scale, which may be nearly impossible to achieve.
- Others argue that optically flat surfaces are defined by their appearance to the human eye, with examples such as glass or ice, though these may not be atomically flat due to molecular impurities.
- A participant provides a definition of optical flats, noting they are polished to be extremely flat within a few millionths of an inch, which raises questions about the scale of flatness.
- Another participant mentions that commercial optics typically specify flatness to within a fraction of a wavelength, suggesting a scale of 30 to 140 nm, and posits that atomic flatness refers to flatness on the scale of approximately 0.1 nm.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the definitions and implications of atomically flat versus optically flat surfaces, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a consensus.
Contextual Notes
Definitions of flatness may depend on specific contexts and applications, and the discussion highlights the complexity of achieving true atomic flatness versus the practicalities of optical flatness.