Probing Quantum Dynamics in Space-Time of Two-level Systems with Light-STM

Diffraction limited resolution has been a long-standing challenge for microscopy. The combination of light with the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has made it possible to reach atomic-scale resolution with wavelength of light many orders larger than the sample’s features. With ultrashort light pulses, simultaneous temporal resolution is obtained. The advancement in precision measurement with light-STM has been applied to two-level systems in double-well potentials. In addition to probing the quantum dynamics of such systems, the superposition of the two levels provides a pathway for quantum sensing of the sample’s surface.