There have been many books published on scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related subjects since Dr. Cerd Binnig and Dr. Heinrich Rohrer invented STM in 1982 and AFM in 1986 at IBM Research Center in Zurich, Switzerland. These two techniques, STM and AFM, now form the core of what has come to be called the 'scanning probe microscopy (SPM)' family. SPM is not just the most powerful microscope for scientists to image atoms on surfaces, but is also becoming an indispensable tool for manipulating atoms and molecules to construct man-made materials and devices....

New advanced materials are being rapidly developed, thanks to the progress of science. These are making our daily life more convenient. The Institute for Materials Research (IMR) at Tohoku University has greatly contributed for to the creation and development of various advanced materials and the progress in the ?eld of material science for almost a century. For example, our early research achievements on the physical metallurgy of iron carbon alloys led to the innovation of technology for making high-quality steels, which has greatly contributed to the advancement of the steel and related...

New advanced materials are being rapidly developed, thanks to the progress of science. These are making our daily life more convenient. The Institute for Materials Research (IMR) at Tohoku University has greatly contributed for to the creation and development of various advanced materials and the progress in the ?eld of material science for almost a century. For example, our early research achievements on the physical metallurgy of iron carbon alloys led to the innovation of technology for making high-quality steels, which has greatly contributed to the advancement of the steel and related...