Scanning probe microscopy

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An atomically or near atomically sharp needle or crystal tip scans or swing-taps over a surface. Some physical interaction mechanism (electrical tunneling curren / force interaction / ...) is used for a feedback loop and as contrast source for the image. Images are usually scanned line by line slowly building up. Due to the local physical contact beside imaging actual manipulation can be done.

The two main types of SPM are:

  • STM scanning tunnelling microscopy
  • AFM atomic force microscopy

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