What are the frontiers of research using scanning probe microscopy (SPM)? To discuss this issue, it is crucial to understand the trends in academia, industry, and society. Based on the numbers of published articles, here, I present the trends of research using SPM. Furthermore, the prospects of SPM research are discussed.

Spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy (SI-STM) has been developed as a powerful experimental tool to analyze electronic states in extreme conditions such as very low temperatures and high magnetic fields. A salient feature of SI-STM is that the tunneling spectrum, which reflects the local density of states, is measured at every pixel of the topographic image. The obtained three-dimensional (energy and position at the surface) data set contains rich information on the electronic state at the surface. The every-pixel spectroscopy of SI-STM enables us to acquire the momentum-space information through the Fourier analyses of the quasiparticle interference (QPI) patterns. The QPI imaging allows us to study not only the energy-momentum dispersions but also the nature of the quasiparticle scattering processes. As examples of SI-STM applications, we discuss the Zeeman effect in a topological surface state and the spin-orbit scattering in a polar semiconductor.

Nanomechanics based on atomic force microscope (AFM) is reviewed. Tapping-mode phase imaging gives information of energy dissipative process during the contact between AFM probe and elastic or viscoelastic surface, which includes adhesive interaction as well as viscoelastic loss. The understanding of time-temperature superposition principle is crucial to interpret the data correctly. AFM nanomechanics based on “slow” force-distance curve analysis can also offer a lot of insights on materials’ mechanical properties. Young’s modulus, adhesive force and viscoelastic work can be imaged. The paper devotes AFM analysis of block copolymer-type thermoplastic elastomer, in order to interconnect nanoscopic information and macroscopic mechanical properties evaluation, in which a new mathematical approach, computational homology may play an important role.