Scanning Tunneling Microscopes For Advanced Labs

Scanning Tunneling Microscopes (STM) are powerful surface imaging instruments capable of resolving individual atoms on conductive materials. They operate on the principle of quantum tunneling: when a sharp metallic tip is brought extremely close to a conductive surface and a bias voltage is applied, electrons tunnel between the tip and the sample. The resulting tunneling current varies with the distance between the tip and the surface, allowing precise mapping of atomic-scale topography.