Atoms at the end of the tunnel (The)

Bruno Grandidier, a researcher with the IEMN (Institut d'électronique, de microélectronique et de nanotechnologies) in Lille, presents the operating principles and uses of the tunnel effect microscope.

This microscope is used in the open air to study the surface of a graphite sample. For other materials which oxidize in air, such as silicon, researchers use a more sophisticated microscope which operates in an ultra-vacuum. The tunnel effect microscope also makes it possible to manipulate and construct nano-objects, such as organic molecules which are deposited on silicon substrates.