STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope)

A Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is a powerful tool that allows scientists to visualize surfaces at the atomic level. It works by bringing a sharp metal tip very close to a conductive material's surface. When a small voltage is applied, electrons "tunnel" between the tip and the surface, creating a current that varies with distance. By scanning the tip across the surface and measuring this current, the STM constructs detailed, high-resolution images of individual atoms and how they are arranged. This technology helps us understand materials at their most fundamental level.