Scanning Probe Microscopies

The ability to image individual atoms in scanning probe microscopies can be mimicked with a refrigerator magnet. As a magnetic probe strip is pulled along the back, variations in magnetic field can be directly detected.
More information on refrigerator magnets

A light beam reflects off a cantilever probe to map a refrigerator magnet.

A laser beam reflects off a cantilever probe to map a refrigerator magnet.

Even the movement of a concrete block wall can be observed with enough amplification. A metal rod fastened to a wall with double-stick foam tape rests on a pin with attached mirror, and a laser beam is reflected off the mirror to show the motion of the wall. (Thanks to Seyfollah Maleki for telling us about this demonstration.)
Diagram of the experiment in a new window

A probe can be used to move atoms.

A probe is moving iron atoms around on a copper substrate to form the quantum corral. Images from Crommie, Lutz, and Eigler http://www.almaden.ibm.com/vis/stm/corral.html
Larger movie in a new window


Exploring the Nanoworld | MRSEC Nanostructured Interfaces
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This page created by George Lisensky, Beloit College. Last modified October 27, 2013 .