The following definitions are from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary or Wikipedia

Atom:  The smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or in combination.

Atomic Force

Microscope: A high-resolution type of scanning probe microscope used from measuring and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.

Electron:  Elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity.

Electron Cloud:  The system of electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom.

Electron Spin:  An electron spin is an essential property of electrons, s = ½.  Electrons have essential angular momentum characterized by quantum number ½.

Microscope:  An optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of tiny objects.

Molecular Beam

Epitaxy (MEB):  One of several methods of thin-film deposition.

Nanometer:  One billionth of a meter.

Nanoscale:  Having dimensions measured in nanometers.

Nucleus:  The positively charged central portion of an atom that comprises nearly all of the atomic mass and that consists of protons and usually neutrons.

Nanoscientist:  A scientist who studies nanoscience or nanotechnology.

Neutrons:  An uncharged elementary particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except the hydrogen nucleus.

Photon:  A quantum of electromagnetic radiation.

Proton:  An elementary particle that carries a positive charge numerically equal to the charge of an electron.

Scanning Tunneling

Microscope:  A microscope that makes use if the phenomenon of tunneling electrons to map the position of individual atoms in a surface or to move atoms around on a surface.

Spintronics:  A phrase also meaning “spin-based electronics.”  A technology that uses the quantum tendency of electrons to spin, as well as making use of the negative charge state.

Vacuum:  A region of space in which there is an absence of atoms and molecules.

Quantum Dot:  A semiconductor nanostructure that confines the motion of conduction band electrons, valence band holes or excitons (pairs of conduction band electrons and valence band holes) in all three spatial directions.