Nanomanipulation with the Atomic Force Microscope

Abstract

Abstract Manipulation with scanning probe microscopes has been under development for over a decade, and now provides the capability of building nanostructures automatically, from the bottom up, by assembling nanoscale objects such as particles, rods, and tubes. In this chapter, the current research on nanomanipulation is surveyed, with special emphasis placed on techniques that use the atomic force microscope (AFM) as a robot, the nanoscopic end‐effector of which – the tip – interacts directly with the nanoscale features of the sample. The principles of operation of the AFM, and the spatial uncertainties associated with it, are briefly described. Protocols for moving nano‐objects with the AFM tip are discussed, and experimental results presented which show that AFM manipulation can be used to accurately and reliably position molecular‐sized components. These can then be linked by chemical or physical means to form subassemblies, which in turn can be further manipulated. Interactive AFM manipulation systems are discussed, as well as recent results on automated nanomanipulation.