Illustration of freely flying atoms (IMAGE) Optica Caption Scientists used two optical traps to throw and catch individual atoms. This is the first time an atom has been released from a trap — or thrown — and then caught by another trap. Credit Jaewook Ahn, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Usage Restrictions None License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.