Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
11:00
Hand Controlled Manipulation of Single Molecules via a Scanning Probe Microscope with a 3D Virtual Reality Interface
Published on: October 2, 2016
8.7K
Vertical atomic manipulation with dynamic atomic-force microscopy without tip change via a multi-step mechanism
J Bamidele1, S H Lee2, Y Kinoshita2
1Physics Department, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
Nature Communications
|August 1, 2014
Summary
This study demonstrates controlled vertical manipulation of copper atoms using non-contact atomic force microscopy without altering image contrast. A novel computational method reveals a multi-step mechanism for atom transfer and diffusion on the microscope tip.
Area of Science:
- Surface science
- Nanotechnology
- Scanning probe microscopy
Background:
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables nanostructure fabrication.
- Vertical manipulations typically cause tip changes and contrast shifts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate vertical atom manipulation with stable imaging contrast.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of atom transfer and diffusion on the AFM tip.
Main Methods:
- Low-temperature non-contact atomic force microscopy experiments.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for energy barriers.
- Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations for tip dynamics and statistics.
Main Results:
- Successful vertical manipulation (extraction and deposition) of 'super'-Cu atoms on a Cu(110):O surface.
- Maintained consistent imaging contrast throughout manipulation.
- Identified a novel multi-step manipulation mechanism involving atom jumps, drag, and diffusion on the tip.
Conclusions:
- Achieved precise control over atom manipulation via AFM without contrast changes.
- The combined DFT-KMC approach provides a general framework for understanding tip-surface interactions.
- Revealed a complex, multi-step mechanism governing atom transfer and diffusion during AFM manipulation.
