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Scanning probe instruments - key to the nanoworld

Heinrich Hoerber (University of Bristol)

Local probe techniques (LPTs) extend our sense of touching into the micro- and nano-world and in this way provide complementary new insight into the world we see with other microscopic techniques. Touching things is an essential prerequisite to manipulate them and the ability to feel and manipulate single molecules or atoms for sure marks another revolutionizing step in science. Experiments at the nanometer scale provide a complete new view on molecular processes hidden before in ensemble averages. As never all components of an ensemble can be forced into the same state, information about the time behavior of the individual components is lost. With LPTs we have a powerful tool to study functional cycles of single molecules and to get new insight into their structure and function relation.

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