Nanowire. Coloured scanning tunnelling micrograph (STM) of a nanowire. Just 10 atoms wide, this wire could be used in a computer operating at the limits of miniaturisation. The wire is made from rare earth silicides, a compound containing a rare earth metal (lanthanide) combined with silicon. It was laid down on a silicon surface. In an STM, the shape of a surface maintaining the flow of current through a fine wire passed just above the surface. This nanowire was made by Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California, USA. Magnification unknown.