Can we visually detect subparticles using visible light?

[kent davidge]

If we shine visible light on a electron (or place it on a electric field), the electron would re-emit that visible light so that we can see it. Not directly with our eyes, because its high velocity, but maybe with a sophisticated camera. Why is it not possible?

And I am sorry for my poor English

 

[Dale]

If we shine visible light on a electron (or place it on a electric field), the electron would re-emit that visible light so that we can see it.

This is called Thomson scattering

 

[kent davidge]

This is called Thomson scattering

Then where can I find a real image of an electron ?

 

[berkeman]

Then where can I find a real image of an electron ?

On the face of a Cathode Ray Tube...

 

[berkeman]

You probably are familiar with imaging atoms using STM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_tunneling_microscope

but that is a bit different from what you are asking now. What kind of image are you hoping to see?

 

[Dale]

Then where can I find a real image of an electron ?

What can you tell me about photography. What can you tell me about Thomson scattering? Think it through a bit. Research CCD detectors and their sensitivity. Research the thermal speed of a typical electron. Then try to answer your own question.

 

[kent davidge]

Oh cool. Is there a link to some website to a image of an electron captured either by STM or CCD on internet? And I was wondering if in the Compton Scattering it's possible to cause the electron to emit visible light if we drop visible light on it and the scattered photon is emitted at an angle of 0°. Is it possible?

 

[CapnGranite]

http://gizmodo.com/5835164/fascinatingly-small-images-give-first-ever-glimpse-of-an-electrons-orbit
http://phys.org/news/2008-02-electron.html

Shortly before SLAC issued the restraining order preventing me from ever pushing any buttons there, I did manage to image this:

 

[kent davidge]

]

http://gizmodo.com/5835164/fascinatingly-small-images-give-first-ever-glimpse-of-an-electrons-orbit
http://phys.org/news/2008-02-electron.html

Shortly before SLAC issued the restraining order preventing me from ever pushing any buttons there, I did manage to image this:

 

[lychette]

On the face of a Cathode Ray Tube...

Ridiculous!... Is a white patch on a black and white photograph an 'image of a photon'

 

[kent davidge]

Ridiculous!... Is a white patch on a black and white photograph an 'image of a photon'

I was expecting to see something like a point particle as the electrons are presented in textbooks

 

[Khashishi]

If a photon hits your eye, it will excite some rod or cone in your retina. I think it takes many photons to excite the retinal cell to a level where it "registers". So you'll get some point spread due to the fact that you have a distribution of many photons hitting many points in your eye.

As far as various fast particles hitting your eye -- maybe you'll see some blue glow due to ionizations in your vitreous matter. And you probably should get out of there.