Scanning tunneling microscope

Definition

A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is a powerful instrument that uses a sharp conducting tip to scan the surface of a specimen at an atomic level. It provides three-dimensional images by measuring electron tunneling between the tip and the specimen.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. STMs can achieve atomic resolution, allowing scientists to view individual atoms on a surface.
2. The STM operates based on the principle of quantum tunneling, where electrons pass through the barrier between the tip and sample.
3. Invented by Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer in 1981, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986 for this innovation.
4. STMs require extremely stable conditions to function correctly, including vibration isolation and temperature control.
5. They are used not only in microbiology but also in materials science and nanotechnology for imaging surfaces at an atomic scale.

Review Questions

• What principle does a scanning tunneling microscope operate on?
• Who invented the scanning tunneling microscope, and when did they receive the Nobel Prize?
• Why are stable conditions crucial for the operation of an STM?

Related terms

Atomic Force Microscope (AFM): Uses a mechanical probe to map out topography at a high resolution by feeling the surface.

Electron Microscope: Utilizes beams of electrons instead of light to achieve much higher magnification levels.

Quantum Tunneling: A quantum mechanical phenomenon where particles move through a barrier that would be insurmountable according to classical physics.