atomic force microscope
noun
: an instrument used for mapping the atomic-scale topography of a surface by means of the repulsive electronic forces between the surface and the tip of a microscope probe moving above the surface
—abbreviation AFM
atomic force microscopy
noun
Examples of atomic force microscope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These tiny indents are made (and read) using a fine-tip probe mounted on an atomic force microscope … not by a reed stylus.
—
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2024
For Tuesday’s Nobel Prize in Physics, Swedish public radio SR’s science experts suggested the honour could go to Swiss physicist Christoph Gerber, a pioneer in the development of the atomic force microscope.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2024
Researchers at the Tate have also used an atomic force microscope to monitor Warhol's acrylic portrait of Brooke Hayward as it was cleaned, to make sure dirt and not paint was being removed.
—Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
The technique uses an atomic force microscope to form indentations in a two-layer stack of atomically thin materials.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Sep. 2023
In the first image, taken with an atomic force microscope, lobes or waves are observed.
—Matías A. Loewy, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2023
Working with rat neurons grown in a petri dish in the laboratory, the team artificially connected two neurons using an atomic force microscope and tiny, polystyrene spheres.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2016
This artist rendering is based on an image of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) taken with an atomic force microscope (AFM).
—Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2018
Gerd Binnig shared the Kavli Prize in Nanoscience in 2016 for inventing the atomic force microscope.
—Scientific American Custom Media, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2024
For Tuesday’s Nobel Prize in Physics, Swedish public radio SR’s science experts suggested the honour could go to Swiss physicist Christoph Gerber, a pioneer in the development of the atomic force microscope.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2024
Researchers at the Tate have also used an atomic force microscope to monitor Warhol's acrylic portrait of Brooke Hayward as it was cleaned, to make sure dirt and not paint was being removed.
—Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
The technique uses an atomic force microscope to form indentations in a two-layer stack of atomically thin materials.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Sep. 2023
In the first image, taken with an atomic force microscope, lobes or waves are observed.
—Matías A. Loewy, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2023
Working with rat neurons grown in a petri dish in the laboratory, the team artificially connected two neurons using an atomic force microscope and tiny, polystyrene spheres.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2016
This artist rendering is based on an image of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) taken with an atomic force microscope (AFM).
—Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2018
Gerd Binnig shared the Kavli Prize in Nanoscience in 2016 for inventing the atomic force microscope.
—Scientific American Custom Media, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Atomic force microscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20force%20microscope. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share