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CARBON NANOTUBE (CNT) TIPS
By using a probe tip with a high aspect ratio, the sensitivity of the force sensor to interactions at the tip apex is increased, particularly when making dynamic measurements in liquid. High-aspect ratio tips reduce the hydrodynamic squeeze damping between the surface and the bulk of the tip. We produce high aspect ratio tips by attaching a CNT to the end of the probe. In addition, CNTs have unique mechanical and conduction properties from which we can benefit when using them as the probe tip.
We use a specially designed micromanipulator which is built into a high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope (Hitachi 4300 FE-SEM) for the attachment of the multi-walled CNT (see left), a method developed by the group of Prof. Nakayama, Osaka Prefectural University. This technique allows us to control both the length and position of the CNT probe.
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The FE-SEM images to the left illustrate the CNT attachment process. (a) Using the micromanipulator, an AFM tip is closely positioned to a CNT protruding from a razor blade. The CNT is then glued onto the AFM tip by the deposition of amorphous carbon. (b) The attached CNT probe can then be moved away from the razor blade. (c) By applying a pulsed voltage between the tip and the cartridge, the length of the CNT probe can be adjusted.
Click here to view a QuickTime video clip of the carbon nanotube attachment process.
Download QuickTime here
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| Our linked publications: |
| S. P. Jarvis, T. Uchihashi, T. Ishida, H. Tokumoto and Y. Nakayama, "Local Solvation Shell Measurement in Water using a Carbon Nanotube Probe", J. Phys. Chem. B, 26 , 6091 (2000). |
S. P. Jarvis, T. Ishida, T. Uchihashi, Y. Nakayama and H. Tokumoto, "Frequency modulation detection Atomic Force Microscopy in the Liquid Environment", Applied Physics A, 72 , S129-S132 (2001). |
M. Kageshima, H. Jensenius, M. Dienwiebel, Y. Nakayama, H. Tokumoto, S. P. Jarvis, T. H. Oosterkamp, "Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid Environment with Quartz Tuning Fork and Carbon Nanotube Probe", Appl. Surf. Sci., 188 , 440-444 (2002). |
M. Luna, P.J. de Pablo, J. Colchero, J. Gomez-Herrero, A. M. Baro, H. Tokumoto, S. P. Jarvis "Interaction forces and conduction properties between multi wall carbon nanotube tips and Au (111)", Ultramicroscopy, 96 , 83-92 (2003). |
S. S. T. Huntington and S. P. Jarvis, "Application of carbon nanotubes to topographical resolution enhancement of tapered fiber SNOM probes", Rev. Sci. Inst., 74 , 2933-2935 (2003). |
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