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atomic force microscope
noun
: an instrument used for mapping the atomic-scale topography of a surface by means of the repulsive electronic forces between the surface and the tip of a microscope probe moving above the surface
—abbreviation AFM
atomic force microscopy
noun
Examples of atomic force microscope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For Tuesday’s Nobel Prize in Physics, Swedish public radio SR’s science experts suggested the honour could go to Swiss physicist Christoph Gerber, a pioneer in the development of the atomic force microscope.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2024
Researchers at the Tate have also used an atomic force microscope to monitor Warhol's acrylic portrait of Brooke Hayward as it was cleaned, to make sure dirt and not paint was being removed.
—Sarah Everts, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016
The technique uses an atomic force microscope to form indentations in a two-layer stack of atomically thin materials.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Sep. 2023
In the first image, taken with an atomic force microscope, lobes or waves are observed.
—Matías A. Loewy, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2023
Working with rat neurons grown in a petri dish in the laboratory, the team artificially connected two neurons using an atomic force microscope and tiny, polystyrene spheres.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2016
This artist rendering is based on an image of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) taken with an atomic force microscope (AFM).
—Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2018
Gerd Binnig shared the Kavli Prize in Nanoscience in 2016 for inventing the atomic force microscope.
—Scientific American Custom Media, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2021
This tiny arm with a shard from a smashed needle was the first version of what would become known as the atomic force microscope, or AFM.
—Scientific American Custom Media, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2021
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Word History
First Known Use
1986, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of atomic force microscope was
in 1986
Dictionary Entries Near atomic force microscope
Cite this Entry
“Atomic force microscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20force%20microscope. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
atomic force microscope
noun
: an instrument used for mapping the atomic-scale topography of a surface by means of the repulsive electronic forces between the surface and the tip of a microscopic probe moving above the surface
—abbreviation AFM
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