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Title: Fast and reliable method of conductive carbon nanotube-probe fabrication for scanning probe microscopy

Journal Article · · Review of Scientific Instruments
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4921323· OSTI ID:22392499
; ;  [1];  [1]
  1. Institute of Solid State Physics, RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka (Russian Federation)

We demonstrate the procedure of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) conductive probe fabrication with a single multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) on a silicon cantilever pyramid. The nanotube bundle reliably attached to the metal-covered pyramid is formed using dielectrophoresis technique from the MWNT suspension. It is shown that the dimpled aluminum sample can be used both for shortening/modification of the nanotube bundle by applying pulse voltage between the probe and the sample and for controlling the probe shape via atomic force microscopy imaging the sample. Carbon nanotube attached to cantilever covered with noble metal is suitable for SPM imaging in such modulation regimes as capacitance contrast microscopy, Kelvin probe microscopy, and scanning gate microscopy. The majority of such probes are conductive with conductivity not degrading within hours of SPM imaging.

OSTI ID:
22392499
Journal Information:
Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 86, Issue 5; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English