Scanning Tunnelling Microscope, Cambridge, England, 1986

Scanning Tunnelling Microscope made by W.A. Technology Ltd Scanning Tunnelling Microscope made by W.A Scanning Tunnelling Microscope made by W.A

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Scanning Tunnelling Microscope made by W.A. Technology Ltd
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Scanning Tunnelling Microscope made by W.A
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Scanning Tunnelling Microscope made by W.A
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Scanning Tunnelling Microscope made by W.A. Technology Ltd., Cambridge, England, 1986. This is the first STM to be produced commercially.

Scanning Tunnelling Microscopes (STMs) were first developed in 1986. STMs allowed scientists to see individual atoms for the first time. STMs work when electrons ‘jump’ between the microscope and what is being examined. Unfortunately, microscopes that use electrons can damage what is being investigated. STM technology was developed by Gerd Binnig (b. 1947) and Heinrich Rohrer (b. 1933). They won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1986. Made by W A Technology Ltd in Cambridge, England, this model was the first commercially produced Scanning Tunnelling Microscope.

Details

Category:
Microscopes
Object Number:
1989-576
Materials:
metal (unknown), brass (copper, zinc alloy), glass, plastic (unidentified), paint, electronic components and possibly ceramic
Measurements:
overall: 300 mm x 320 mm x 260 mm,
type:
scanning tunnelling microscope
credit:
W A Technology Limited