{"id":5038,"date":"2026-01-30T14:40:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T05:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=5038"},"modified":"2026-02-10T05:07:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:07:05","slug":"what-is-a-scanning-probe-microscope-spm-an-explanation-of-types-uses-in-society-and-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=5038","title":{"rendered":"What is a scanning probe microscope (SPM)? An explanation of types, uses in society and history"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SPM (scanning probe microscope) is used for surface profile observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several types, each with different characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will explain SPM itself and its types, how it is used in society and the history of when it was first used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope that you will find this information useful, as we can only provide it because we are usually involved in work related to atoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s look at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPM (scanning probe microscope) is the generic name for a new type of microscope.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SPM is a general term for microscopes that use a tiny needle (probe) to detect surface irregularities on a sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of 2022, three main types of microscope are widely used: optical microscopy, electron microscopy and SPM (scanning probe microscopy). (There are also X-ray microscopes and ultrasound microscopes, but these are still of limited use).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As can be seen from the fact that SPM is a generic term, there is a detailed classification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two most commonly used types are STM (scanning tunneling microscope) and AFM (atomic force microscope).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The differences between them are discussed in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Types of SPM (scanning probe microscope)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two main types of SPM commonly utilised: STM and AFM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us introduce each of them to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

STM (scanning tunneling microscope)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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STM uses tunneling currents to detect irregularities in a sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is one of the oldest SPM microscopes and has been in use since its development in 1981.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, see also the following article.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/i>Related articles.<\/span>