Wiktionary
n. (context chemistry English) an instrument used to determine the chemical composition at a point on a solid surface, such as that of a mineral; analyzes the X-rays emitted when a beam of electrons are focused on the sample
Wikipedia
Usage examples of "microprobe".
Sickert's grease paints and paints from his studio would not have eluded the scanning electron microscope, the ion microprobe, the x-ray diffractometer, or thin-layer chromatography, to list a few of the resources available now.
And if they're colonies of single-celled creatures, one of which happens to collide with a microprobe and register its presence with surface receptors .
Paolo had some sympathy with that impulse—but the launch of the microprobes would do nothing to undermine the greater long-term pleasure of watching, and understanding, as Orphean life evolved.
They landed microprobes on the artifact, and tomographed it with faint seismic waves.