Atom inlays performed at room temperature using atomic force microscopy

Abstract

The ability to manipulate single atoms and molecules laterally for creating artificial structures on surfaces is driving us closer to the ultimate limit of two-dimensional nanoengineering. However, experiments involving this level of manipulation have been performed only at cryogenic temperatures. Scanning tunnelling microscopy has proved, so far, to be a unique tool with all the necessary capabilities for laterally pushing, pulling or sliding single atoms and molecules, and arranging them on a surface at will. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, that it is possible to perform well-controlled lateral manipulations of single atoms using near-contact atomic force microscopy even at room temperature. We report the creation of 'atom inlays', that is, artificial atomic patterns formed from a few embedded atoms in the plane of a surface. At room temperature, such atomic structures remain stable on the surface for relatively long periods of time.

Room-temperature-concerted switch made of a binary atom cluster

“…To date, a number of atomic-scale manipulations have been reported, where precisely controlled SPM tip-surface interactions are utilized to move single atoms/ molecules on surfaces in vertical and lateral directions. As reported in the previous studies, these interactions result in highly controllable processes, such as fabrication of artificial atomicscale structures [1][2][3][4][5] and control of quantum phenomena [6][7][8][9] , demonstrating the promising capability of SPM to fabricate atomic-scale functional devices.…”

“…Extensive SPM studies have reported a variety of methods for single-atom/ molecule manipulation that are mediated by several tip-sample interactions 1,2,28,29 . We used a combined AFM/STM to fabricate and operate an atomic-scale switch at RT, which enables individual interactions during each manipulation process to be directly monitored.…”

Chemical identification of individual surface atoms by atomic force microscopy

“…This method might be of relevance in surface chemistry, material science, nanoscience and nanotechnology, and even in semiconductor technology; in particular, when combining this identification method with the ability of DFM for the manipulation of individual atoms at surfaces [8,9].…”

Nano-chemistry and scanning probe nanolithographies

“…1). [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The proposed approaches range from the sophisticated monitoring of attractive van der Waals forces to control atoms to the crude approach of scratching surfaces by ploughing a nanometer-sized tip; from the selective oxidation of a metallic surface to fabricate quantum devices to the thermo-plastic deformation of polymers to fabricate flash memories. However, just a few of the proposed approaches are suitable for large scale and reproducible patterning of materials.…”