scanning tunneling microscope
noun
: a microscope that makes use of the phenomenon of tunneling electrons to map the positions of individual atoms in a surface or to move atoms around on a surface
scanning tunneling microscopy
noun
Examples of scanning tunneling microscope in a Sentence
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So for each attempt, the researchers checked their work by directly probing the sheets with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM).
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Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
By moving the needle of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) across a surface and monitoring the electric current that flows through it, scientists can map a surface to the level of single atoms.
—Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 20 Oct. 2022
In 1981, Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer created the scanning tunneling microscope here.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Apr. 2020
The scanning tunneling microscope used for the race.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2017
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Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
By moving the needle of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) across a surface and monitoring the electric current that flows through it, scientists can map a surface to the level of single atoms.
—Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 20 Oct. 2022
In 1981, Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer created the scanning tunneling microscope here.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Apr. 2020
The scanning tunneling microscope used for the race.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Scanning tunneling microscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scanning%20tunneling%20microscope. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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