Two-dimensional numerical simulation of the photon scanning tunneling microscope. Concept of transfer function
Résumé
A numerical simulation is used to calculate the signal detected by a photon scanning tunneling microscope when scanning a surface. We show that the signal provides an image very different from the actual surface profile. However, it is possible to define a transfer function relating the signal and the near-field intensity which exists without the presence of the detecting probe tip. Such a transfer function cannot be defined between the signal and the surface.