Atomic orbitals recent claims

Of course it is still possible to use the complex mathematical expressions, corresponding to the different type of orbital solutions to the hydrogen atom problem, in order to build up a wavefunction that approximates that of a many-electron atom or molecule. In such cases, we are using orbitals in a purely instrumental fashion to model the wavefunction of the atom or molecule and there is no pretense, at least by experts in the field, that the constituent orbitals used in this modeling procedure possess any independent existence. Contrary to the recent claims which appeared in Natme magazine, as well as many other publications, orbitals have not been observed (Scerri 2000b, 2001). 

Scerri, E.R. 2001. The Recently Claimed Observation of Atomic Orbitals and Some Related Philosophical Issues. Philosophy of Science 68 S76-S88. 

Scerri E (2000) Have orbitals really been observed J Chem Educ 77 1492-1494 Scerri E (2001) The recently claimed observation of atomic orbitals and some related philosophical issues. Philos Sci 68 S76-S88... 

The Recently Claimed Observation of Atomic Orbitals and Smne Related Philosophical Issues... 

The recent dramatic claims made in Nature magazine to the effect that atomic orbitals have been directly observed fly in the face of conventional wisdom regarding the nature of such theoretical entities. Of course this alone does not represent grounds for dismissing such claims. However, if these claims were to be sustained it would imply an outright refutation of quantum mechanics, which does not appear to be the intention of the authors concerned. 

Unlike the infamous and recent case of cold fusion, the claims made for the observation of atomic orbitals were not presented at a press conference but, as mentioned above, were announced in the world s most... 

The newly announced experiments, like several others reported in recent years, may indeed show images of electron density, or differences in electron density, but not atomic orbitals, regardless of the claimed sophistication of the experimental techniques employed. I suggest that any similarities between the reported images and textbook orbitals are coin-... 

Walter Kohn has been a great help to many scientists over many years, an expert consultant and helpmate and a fine, unobtrusive, even-handed host of good meetings in lovely places. We thank him. In recent years I have discussed with him (among other things), circulant orbitals, the monotonic density theorem, and the information theory point of view on what constitutes an atom in a molecule, the latter during a stolen few minutes in a Stockholm hotel in December of 1999 [6]. Walter may or may not like chemistry [7], and he claims not to have studied chemistry in the university. But what does one call a great teacher of chemical principles I would say, CHEMIST, full caps. 

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