An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen and produce a magnified image. In particular, a scanning electron microscope shoots focused electron beams that rather than carrying an image itself back to the lens, probes the specimen directly. The result of this probing is that the electrons lose energy as a result of the interactions with the specimen. This energy is converted into different forms that provide signals and information on composition, as well as creating an image which maps the topography of the specimen. It is interesting to think that for all intents and purposes, this is the way that an electron 'sees' the world. So my proposed art project is to create an 'Electron Self-Portrait"; an image of electrons created by electrons. Currently, we are not able to capture an image of an electron itself, the particle is far too small for any of our technology to capture on any kind of recording device. The closest we have gotten is to capture images of the electron's path either independently or orbiting an atom. Aside from the scientific implications of being able to see a particle that small, it also poses some interesting questions of the self, and what it would mean for something so basic and prevalent as an electron to become self-aware.
An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen and produce a magnified image. In particular, a scanning electron microscope shoots focused electron beams that rather than carrying an image itself back to the lens, probes the specimen directly. The result of this probing is that the electrons lose energy as a result of the interactions with the specimen. This energy is converted into different forms that provide signals and information on composition, as well as creating an image which maps the topography of the specimen. It is interesting to think that for all intents and purposes, this is the way that an electron 'sees' the world. So my proposed art project is to create an 'Electron Self-Portrait"; an image of electrons created by electrons. Currently, we are not able to capture an image of an electron itself, the particle is far too small for any of our technology to capture on any kind of recording device. The closest we have gotten is to capture images of the electron's path either independently or orbiting an atom. Aside from the scientific implications of being able to see a particle that small, it also poses some interesting questions of the self, and what it would mean for something so basic and prevalent as an electron to become self-aware.