An STM (scanning tunelling microscope) setup applicable for a study of samples at ambient conditions was obtained by M. Kralj and installed by I. Delac Marion.

Three piezo legs are apparent, that enable scanning the STM tip across the sample, as well as the antivibration support coil springs.

In comparison, STM is capable of achieving atomic resolution, while AFM has the drawback that all the surface features are convoluted by the tip shape and size. However, STM demands the sample to be conducting. To achieve this soft matter samples may be evaporated wih 2-5 nm gold layer, as we did for a sample of streptavidin functionalized glass