Two-dimensional SiO2 films may be grown on metal single crystal surfaces. It is possible to grow crystalline and vitreous (glassy) films and study their structural, vibrational, and electronic properties. In particular, the structures of a crystalline and a vitreous film may be imaged with atomic resolution side by side which opens avenues to study long standing problems of real space imaging of a crystal to glass transition. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.