Scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract

A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) can provide atomic-resolution images of samples in ultra-high vacuum, moderate vacuum, gases including air at atmospheric pressure, and liquids including oil, water, liquid nitrogen, and even conductive solutions. This review contains images of single-crystal metals, metal films, both elemental and compound semiconductors, superconductors, layered materials, adsorbed atoms, and even DNA. A discussion of results on lithography leads into speculations on a bright future in which STMs may not only observe, but also manipulate surfaces, right down to the atomic level.