A metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy

Abstract We present a metaverse laboratory system that integrates mixed reality (MR) technologies with scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for interactive atomic-scale visualization and manipulation. In order to accommodate both the visualization and input of SPM data in a virtual environment and the ph...

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Main Authors: Zhuo Diao, Hayato Yamashita, Masayuki Abe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01578-y
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author Zhuo Diao
Hayato Yamashita
Masayuki Abe
author_facet Zhuo Diao
Hayato Yamashita
Masayuki Abe
author_sort Zhuo Diao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We present a metaverse laboratory system that integrates mixed reality (MR) technologies with scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for interactive atomic-scale visualization and manipulation. In order to accommodate both the visualization and input of SPM data in a virtual environment and the physical interaction with SPM-related equipment in the laboratory, the system incorporates a virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) framework to enable seamless switching between these two environments. Utilizing the pose-tracking capabilities in AR, users can intuitively interact with virtual interface elements and three-dimensional objects through physical hand gesture input to control SPM parameters and probe positioning. The system provides real-time visualization of scanned surfaces at the atomic scale in the virtual environment, enabling immediate feedback during experiments. To demonstrate the system’s capabilities, we performed atomic manipulation experiments using hand gestures for lateral probe positioning, showing how MR-enhanced SPM can simplify nanoscale operations and improve experimental efficiency. Our integrated MR–SPM system allows users to conduct experiments via the metaverse platform while enhancing the human-instrument interaction experience. It extends the practical utility required for both real-time physical and virtual environment SPM operations in the laboratory, making nanoscale research more accessible and intuitive.
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spelling doaj-art-d9ea48ca41324cd2a3570ba4d8a2ad8c2025-08-20T02:29:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-01578-yA metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopyZhuo Diao0Hayato Yamashita1Masayuki Abe2Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka UniversityGraduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka UniversityGraduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka UniversityAbstract We present a metaverse laboratory system that integrates mixed reality (MR) technologies with scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for interactive atomic-scale visualization and manipulation. In order to accommodate both the visualization and input of SPM data in a virtual environment and the physical interaction with SPM-related equipment in the laboratory, the system incorporates a virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) framework to enable seamless switching between these two environments. Utilizing the pose-tracking capabilities in AR, users can intuitively interact with virtual interface elements and three-dimensional objects through physical hand gesture input to control SPM parameters and probe positioning. The system provides real-time visualization of scanned surfaces at the atomic scale in the virtual environment, enabling immediate feedback during experiments. To demonstrate the system’s capabilities, we performed atomic manipulation experiments using hand gestures for lateral probe positioning, showing how MR-enhanced SPM can simplify nanoscale operations and improve experimental efficiency. Our integrated MR–SPM system allows users to conduct experiments via the metaverse platform while enhancing the human-instrument interaction experience. It extends the practical utility required for both real-time physical and virtual environment SPM operations in the laboratory, making nanoscale research more accessible and intuitive.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01578-y
spellingShingle Zhuo Diao
Hayato Yamashita
Masayuki Abe
A metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy
Scientific Reports
title A metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy
title_full A metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy
title_fullStr A metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy
title_full_unstemmed A metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy
title_short A metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy
title_sort metaverse laboratory setup for interactive atom visualization and manipulation with scanning probe microscopy
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01578-y
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