Physicists at Monash University in Melbourne have developed a new technique enabling scientists to view fast moving images of tiny objects in three dimensions.

Until now researchers have only been able to view these minute structures as two-dimensional, having then to compile a massive number of images to see how they react and change over time.

The breakthrough comes from a team consisting of David Jesson, Konstantin Pavlov and Michael Morgan, who have solved a major problem in surface electron microscopy by developing a new technique to determine surface shape and depth.

The breakthrough discovery will enable scientists to see 3D images of materials evolving and how they behave and interact on surfaces in real time.

"How materials develop and react with other materials forms the basis of a great deal of scientific research and what we have achieved is the ability to view small clusters on surfaces as they are evolve and interact," said Professor Jesson.

"Previously, scientists have had to freeze-frame each image by removing specimens from the growth or heating environment and link them together. Our discovery means that images can now be captured as a real-time video that also shows the depth of the structure," he said.

The discovery is based on a classic 19th century physics experiment known as Lloyd's Mirror, where light reflected off a mirror interferes with light coming directly from the source.

Professor Jesson's team discovered that 3D imaging of nanostructures is possible while using a method called photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) to look at droplets of liquid gallium sitting on a mirror-flat surface of gallium arsenide.

They found that the bright interference fringes result in the emission of electrons that can be detected using a surface electron microscope.

Then, using the same principle as viewing a standard topographic map of a mountain range, the team were able to determine the height of the structure by counting the contour lines.

Jesson reckons this new technique could help scientists "to model and understand the changes in nanostructures being developed for a new generation of computers, lasers and communication systems, and is a new tool for studying surface shape dynamics on small-length scales."