Why is the Scanning Tunneling Microscope important?
The STM works by scanning a sharp metal tip very close to a surface and measuring the resulting tunneling current. This technique enables researchers to obtain atomic-scale images of a material's surface, making it an invaluable tool in surface science and nanotechnology. It paved the way for further innovations such as the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and has had a profound impact on materials science, biology, and semiconductors.
