Study on the manipulation of carbon nanotubes with atomic force microscopy

The technique of nanometer scale manipulation is very important in constructing nano-structures and nano-devices. By using atomic force microscope in contact mode, we have accomplished many kinds of controllable manipulations on single wall carbon nanotubes, including bending, cutting and splitting of nanotube bundles, etc. The results of the manipulation depend on the interaction between tip and nanotubes as well as between substrate and nanotubes. When nanotubes are fixed to some extent on the substrate surface, it will be easier to accomplish manipulations; when the force from the tip is stronger, bundles of nanotube can be splitted.