Scientists have created the smallest microphone, made from a single molecule

What appears to be, when we hear the word "microphone"? Some may associate this word with a small microphone in your smartphone, but some will present a large Studio unit. However, most likely, no one will think about the microphone created by Swedish scientists, which consists of only one molecule and is capable of perceiving sound vibrations.

As you know, when we hear a sound, it means that we feel the sound vibrations passing through a certain environment. To capture sound, the researchers used a single molecule of a substance called dibenzoterrylene (DBT), reports Gizmodo.

To work this molecule as a microphone, scientists have placed it in the anthracene crystal. When sound wave acts on the crystal, all the vibrations are transmitted to the DBT molecule, which starts to vibrate. Such movements of molecules in a certain way lead to spectral changes by reading which, using a laser, scientists can determine the frequency of the sound.

At the moment the technology could work in a particular environment and at relatively low temperatures. However, the researchers plan in the future to improve the molecular microphone.

According to the creators, the device will likely not find widespread in everyday life, because it's hard to find a need in such a small microphone. However, the invention of Swedish scientists can be used by scientists in physics labs where they study tiny quantum systems.

Source: hi-news.ru