Was the STM's invention a sudden breakthrough?
While the Nobel Prize might suggest a sudden leap, it was more of a gradual, persistent effort. We didn't set out to invent a groundbreaking microscope; our initial work focused on understanding interactions at metal-insulator interfaces and surface states. The idea of using tunneling current to image surfaces emerged from these investigations. There were many frustrating moments, countless adjustments, and a lot of patient tweaking of the equipment. It was a process of building, testing, and refining, driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the physical reality at the atomic scale. The 'breakthrough' was the culmination of many small, incremental steps and a willingness to keep at it.
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