Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling

**Definition:** A type of scanning probe microscopy in which a very sharp conducting needle is swept just a few angstroms above the surface of a sample. The tiny tunneling current that flows between the sample and the needle tip is measured, and from this are produced three-dimensional topographs. Due to the poor electron conductivity of most biological samples, thin metal coatings are deposited on the sample.

**Tree numbers:** - E01.370.350.515.666.500 - E05.595.666.500

**Synonyms:** - Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy - Scanning Tunneling Microscopy