Modeling Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM)

The Modeling Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) lab is designed to show students the principles of how a Scanning Probe Microscope works and how mapping on a smaller scale provides a more detailed view of a surface. Students will use a conductivity apparatus to model the mapping behavior of an SPM.  This lab is intended to simulate the tunneling current that is used to image very small objects—on the order of 10 nm or less (at the nanoscale).