Electron Microscope Electron microscopes use beams of electrons instead of light. The electron beam is moved around using magnets which act like the lenses in an ordinary microscope. Electron microscopes can magnify objects over 200,000 times. The computerized STM moves above a material.
Electrons jump from the tip of the STM to the surface of the material being scanned.
This creates an electric charge. The electric current changes as the tip is moved across the material.