Theory and application of scanning tunneling microscopy.

The recent development of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with its unique capability of directly imaging surface structure, with atomic resolution, promises to revolutionize the conceptual understanding and experimental techniques in fundamental and applied surface science. In this paper, the technical development of and results obtained with the STM, since its inception four years ago, are briefly reviewed: The construction and operation of this device are first described. The STM is then compared with other microscopies. A summary of recent experimental results and proposed applications is given. Some of the major experimental results and proposed applications is given. Some of the major experimental achievements obtained by the direct imaging of electronic and atomic surface structure are discussed. Scanning tunneling spectroscopies and some innovative technological applications are considered. Finally, the principal theoretical analyses of the STM are presented.