IUVSTA 15th International Vacuum Congress (IVC-15), AVS 48th International Symposium (AVS-48), 11th International Conference on Solid Surfaces (ICSS-11)
    Processing at the Nanoscale Monday Sessions
       Session PN-MoM

Paper PN-MoM5
Creating Nanoscale Patterns by Arranging Gold Nanocolloids with an AFM

Monday, October 29, 2001, 11:00 am, Room 133

Session: Atomic/Nano-scale Manipulation
Presenter: S. Hsieh, University of Southern California
Authors: S. Hsieh, University of Southern California
S. Meltzer, University of Southern California
C.R.C. Wang, National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan
A.A.G. Requicha, University of Southern California
B.E. Koel, University of Southern California
Correspondent: Click to Email
Combining lithography methods and controlled positioning and manipulation of nanosized building blocks is a promising technique for building future nanoscale devices, e.g., SETs or near-field photonic waveguides. Gold colloids can be fabricated in well-defined shapes and sizes and are therefore ideal components for such devices. We extended the capabilities demonstrated in this field by demonstrating the manipulation of Au nanorods and spherical particles by utilizing atomic force microscopy (AFM). For anchoring of Au nanorods and subsequent manipulation, the choice of adhesive layer is crucial. 3-Mercaptopropylmethyldimeoxysilane (MPMDMS) self- assembled layers adhere to the colloid particles and still allow their lateral manipulation. The colloids can be pushed by exerting a controlled lateral force on the particles with an AFM tip. Off-center pushing results in rotation of the nanorods. The parameters for successful manipulation of nanorods and spherical particles will be compared. These techniques for arranging nanoparticles and nanorods should be useful for fabricating new nanostructures or incorporating such nanoparticles into pre-fabricated structures.