The first image of a molecule has been achieved by IBM researchers using atomic force microscopy (AFM).

They imaged the organic pentacene molecule, overcoming the problem of the probe sticking to the molecule (from electrostatic and van der Waals forces) by fixing a single carbon monoxide molecule to the end of the probe so that only one atom of relatively inactive oxygen came into contact with the pentacene.

The IBM researchers believe their technique may open the door to super-powerful computers whose components are built with precisely positioned atoms and molecules.