What is the difference between AFM and STM?

AFM and STM are two types of microscopes. AFM stands for Atomic Force Microscope. It is used to see images clearly. This is done by moving the tip of the manometer across the surface of the image. STM stands for scanning tunneling microscope.

This type of microscope uses quantum tunneling to capture images. It also uses the tip of the manometer, but there is a distance between the tip and the surface. Between the two, STM is older.

STM is best for those who want an easier micropscope to use, as AFM is more complex to operate. Another difference between them is that in the world of nanotechnology, AFM is more accepted.

AFM simply stands for Atomic Force Microscope, while STM stands for Scanning Tunneling Microscope. The AFM captures images precisely by moving a manometer tip across the image surface. The STM, in contrast, captures images by making use of quantum tunneling. The Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) was actually the first to be discovered before the AFM came into place. In AFM, the probe contacts the surface directly or puts the incipient chemical bonding into the calculation. The STM contacts images indirectly by putting the quantum degree tunneling between the sample and the probe into the calculation.

In AFM, the tip touches the surface; meanwhile, in STM, there is a short distance between the tip and the surface. Hence, the AFM functions by just measuring the little force between the tip and surface. AFM is more accepted in nanotechnology simply because it has been discovered to have a better resolution than its counterpart. And the AFM is still a bit more complex to operate than STM.