| 摘要 |
Carbon nanotubes including single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTS) are grown in a manner that facilitates the formation of distinct, individual nanotubes. In one example embodiment of the present invention, SWNT probe-tips for applications such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) are synthesized on silicon pyramids for integration, for example, onto AFM cantilevers. In another implementation, the growth of SWNTs involves dip coating of silicon pyramids with a liquid phase catalyst followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using methane for growing SWNTs. In another implementation, SWNTs are shortened in an inert atmosphere to achieve desirable lengths, for instance, as used in AFM tips. With these approaches, large-scale arrays of nanotubes can be manufactured, for example, using contact printing for catalyst deposition and controllably shortening the nanotubes via an inert discharge.
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