Here are some examples of using STM in both surface science studies and advanced technological applications.

The invention of STM has left a great impact on surface science. Uses of STM to study metals and semiconductors surface can provide non-trivial real space information especially in studying semiconductor such as Si(100) surface, which is the technologically important Si substrate material for microelectronics device fabrication.

The micro topography and nanotopography of a surface is crucial in many applications, such as for high precision optical components and disk drive surface roughness of machined or ground surfaces in area where such a finish is crucial.

One innovative applications of STM recently found is manipulation of atoms. Here is an example, Iron atoms are placed on Cu(111) surface at very low temperature (4K). Iron atoms are first physisorbed on the Su surface, then the tip is placed directly over a physisorbed atom and lowered to increase the attractive force by increasing the tunneling current. The atom is dragged by the tip and moves across the surface to a desired position. Then, the tip is withdrawn by lowering the tunneling current.