Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why is high vacuum used with a scanning tunneling microscope?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
scanning tunneling microscope
How atoms can be seen.
When using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), a high-vacuum environment is not required for the instrument's fundamental operation, as the device can function in ambient air, liquids, and various other environments.1
Instead, a high-vacuum environment is employed specifically to ensure the cleanliness of the sample surface. By reducing the presence of atmospheric gases, the vacuum minimizes the risk of surface contamination, allowing for more precise studies of atomic structures and surface properties.12