Abstract: A scanning probe microscope probe is produced by depositing a raw-material film on the surface of a cone made of Si, etc. and growing a needle-like crystal by using the raw-material film by irradiating an energy beam to a point on the cone at a predetermined distance along the side surface from the cone tip under such conditions as not to melt the cone. Also, a charge density wave quantum phase microscope is provided which uses a probe made of a charge density wave crystal. Also, a charge density wave quantum interferometer is provided which uses the needle-like crystal formed from the charge density wave crystal. Also, the scanning probe microscope probe is formed from a pressure-induced superconducting substance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transition-metal chalcogenide crystal having a topological configuration/structure. A micro-droplet of a chalcogen element, such as S, Se or Te, is condensed and circulated in suspended form in an atmosphere containing a Group IVb, Vb or VI transition metal element, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti, Hf or W, together with the chalcogen element. Then, micro-whiskers of a transition metal chalcogenide formed in the atmosphere are attached onto a surface of the chalcogen-element micro-droplet by the action of a surface tension of the micro-droplet, and grown as a loop-shaped crystal wound around the surface of the micro-droplet to obtain a loop-shaped crystal having a twist of 0, ? or 2?. The crystal has a ribbon-like open or closed loop configuration. The transition-metal chalcogenide crystal with the topological loop-shaped microstructure can exhibit original properties peculiar to each transition-metal chalcogenide, and has applicability, for example, to a quantum device, such as SQUID.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope probe is produced by depositing a raw-material film on the surface of a cone made of Si, etc. and growing a needle-like crystal by using the raw-material film by irradiating an energy beam to a point on the cone at a predetermined distance along the side surface from the cone tip under such conditions as not to melt the cone. Also, a charge density wave quantum phase microscope is provided which uses a probe made of a charge density wave crystal. Also, a charge density wave quantum interferometer is provided which uses the needle-like crystal formed from the charge density wave crystal. Also, the scanning probe microscope probe is formed from a pressure-induced superconducting substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanostructure made of V group transition metal dichalcogenide such as NbSe2 and a method for preparing such a nanostructure. A nanofiber and nanotube comprising crystals of V group transition metal dichalcogenide such as NbSe2 or TaS2 have electric properties identical to those of a bulk single crystal. The preparation method is as follows: high-purity Nb and Se which are starting materials and which are mixed in a stoichiometric ratio are allowed to react with each other at 800° C. or less in a vacuum with a temperature gradient of 1 k/cm. In a method for preparing nanofibers or nanotubes from NbSe2 that is a starting material by a chemical transport process using a iodine acting as a medium, if C60 acting as a promoter is used, nuclei for forming the nanofibers or the nanotubes can be efficiently produced. Initial nanoparticles surrounding a C60 molecule form nanorings, which grow into the nanotubes. Other nanoparticles surrounding no C60 molecule grow into the nanofibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transition-metal chalcogenide crystal having a topological configuration/structure. A micro-droplet of a chalcogen element, such as S, Se or Te, is condensed and circulated in suspended form in an atmosphere containing a Group IVb, Vb or VI transition metal element, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti, Hf or W, together with the chalcogen element. Then, micro-whiskers of a transition metal chalcogenide formed in the atmosphere are attached onto a surface of the chalcogen-element micro-droplet by the action of a surface tension of the micro-droplet, and grown as a loop-shaped crystal wound around the surface of the micro-droplet to obtain a loop-shaped crystal having a twist of 0, ? or 2 ?. The crystal has a ribbon-like open or closed loop configuration. The transition-metal chalcogenide crystal with the topological loop-shaped microstructure can exhibit original properties peculiar to each transition-metal chalcogenide, and has applicability, for example, to a quantum device, such as SQUID.