Figure 20.05: Schematic setup of STM.

Figure 20.05 depicts the STM set up developed by the inventors: Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer, IBM Zurich Research Laboratories

Nobel Prize awarded in Physics (1986) for their contribution towards STM studies.

A Milestone in Modern Physics

Before invention: scientists could study only atoms in theory;

After invention: we are able to study atoms in experiments: figure out their structure, configuration and even manipulate them.

STM initiates modern nanotechnology.

Ref.: G. Binnig et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 49 (1982) 57

G. Binnig et al, Appl. Phys. Lett. 40 (1982) 178

G. Binnig et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 50 (1983) 120