Seeing Bacteria, Nanoprisms, and More with an Atomic Force Microscope

Atomic-force microscopes use a physical probe to build nanometer-resolution height maps without optical beams. Ben Krasnow imaged bacteria from nattō, silver nanoprisms, track-etched membranes, and laser-etched diffraction gratings. Electrochemical etching showed promise for selectively removing laser-exposed metal.