In our countdown, we unveil the top 3 pictures of atoms ever taken. From the intricacies of computational imaging at Cornell University to the unexpected capture by a quantum researcher at the University of Oxford, witness the awe-inspiring breakthroughs that have brought us face to face with the atomic world.

Taking third place is a 2018 snapshot by Cornell University researchers, achieved through Ptychography – a cutting-edge imaging technique employing intricate algorithms to reconstruct images from overlapping diffraction patterns. This image redefined the limits of atom-level resolution.

Claiming second place is the unexpected entry of David Nadlinger, a quantum enthusiast from the University of Oxford. Armed with a standard DSLR camera, he magnificently captured an atom held captive for quantum research. The result? A photograph that claimed the prestigious UK science photography prize.

However, the pinnacle arrives with the first-place winner: Müller and his brilliant team from Cornell University. In 2021, they shattered previous records with the highest-resolution image of atoms ever captured, reaffirming humanity's relentless pursuit of understanding the infinitesimally small.

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