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Moiré patterns and twistronics | Quantum Transport | Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

STM image showing simultaneously individual atoms and a long wavelength moire pattern

 

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)

 

Schematic of an STM circuit. Zoom in on the atomically sharp tip extremely close to the atoms on the surface

STM is a surface imagine technique that takes advantage of quantum tunneling from an atomically sharp tip into a metallic sample. Utilizing feedback controls and fine-motion piezoelectrics, the tip can be rastered across the sample surface. Remarkably, this technique can visualize individual atoms! The technique, first developed in the field of surface science, has proven invaluable in the study of 2D materials and moire systems. Above is an STM image, where we can resolve individual atoms (the small dots) and a longer wavelength moiré pattern created by a misalignment of the top and bottom atomic layers.