Arene film. Coloured atomic force micrograph (AFM) of a thin arene film on a graphite substrate. An arene is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound such as benzene or naphthalene. Atomic force microscopy is used to study surfaces at the molecular scale. A thin probe is moved across the surface, and its movements as it follows the contours are built into an image. Magnification: x5300 at 6x6cm size.