Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for performing mechanosynthesis, including those that involve bulk chemical preparation of tips, multiple tips for supplying feedstock, and use of sequential tips such as in a thermodynamic cascade; such features may simplify starting requirements, increase versatility, and/or reduce complexity in the mechanosynthesis equipment and/or process.

Abstract: Methods for creating build sequences which are determined using computational chemistry algorithms to simulate mechanosynthetic reactions, and which may use the mechanosynthesis process conditions or equipment limitations in these simulations, and which facilitate determining a set of mechanosynthetic reactions that will build an atomically-precise workpiece with a desired degree of reliability. Included are methods for error correction of pathological reactions or avoidance of pathological reactions. Libraries of reactions may be used to reduce simulation requirements.

Abstract: Methods for creating build sequences which are determined using computational chemistry algorithms to simulate mechanosynthetic reactions, and which may use the mechanosynthesis process conditions or equipment limitations in these simulations, and which facilitate determining a set of mechanosynthetic reactions that will build an atomically-precise workpiece with a desired degree of reliability. Included are methods for error correction of pathological reactions or avoidance of pathological reactions. Libraries of reactions may be used to reduce simulation requirements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the synthesis of products via mechanosynthesis, including bootstrap means to go from atomically-imprecise to atomically-precise tools, methods for determining reaction sequences for workpieces, and methods for creating new reactions, reaction sequences and tips.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to probes for multidimensional nanospectroscopic imaging. In one aspect, a method includes providing a transparent tip comprising a dielectric material. A four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure is formed at an apex of the transparent tip using a focused ion beam. Metal layers are deposited over two opposing sides of the four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure.

Abstract: A method for functionalizing cantilevers is provided that includes providing a holder having a plurality of channels each having a width for accepting a cantilever probe and a plurality of probes. A plurality of cantilever probes are fastened to the plurality of channels of the holder by the spring clips. The wells of a well plate are filled with a functionalization solution, wherein adjacent wells in the well plate are separated by a dimension that is substantially equal to a dimension separating adjacent channels of the plurality of channels. Each cantilever probe that is fastened within the plurality of channels of the holder is applied to the functionalization solution that is contained in the wells of the well plate.

Abstract: A probe for scanned probe microscopy is provided. The probe includes a cantilever beam and a tip. The cantilever beam extends along a generally horizontal axis. The cantilever beam has a crystal facet surface that is oriented at a tilt angle with respect to the generally horizontal axis. The tip projects outwardly from the crystal facet surface.

Abstract: A method for attaching a conductive particle to the apex of a probe tip comprises the steps of: moving the apex of a probe tip close to a conductive particle and applying a bias voltage between the probe tip and the conductive particle so that the conductive particle can permanently attach to the apex. The method uses only a bias voltage to transfer and attach conductive particles to the apex of a probe tip, and no surface treatment of the probe tip is required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided of characterizing a re-entrant SPM probe tip (30) through a single scan of a characterizer, thus dramatically increasing throughput, accuracy, and repeatability when compared to prior known tip characterization techniques. The characterizer also preferably is one whose dimensions can be known with a high level of certainty in order to maximize characterization accuracy. These dimensions are also preferably very stable or, if unstable, change catastrophically rather than in a manner that is difficult or impossible to detect. A carbon nanotube (CNT), preferably a single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), has been found to be well-suited for this purpose. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (130) and other structures may also suffice for this purpose. Also provided are a method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of a CNT.

Abstract: A method for functionalizing cantilevers is provided that includes providing a holder having a plurality of channels each having a width for accepting a cantilever probe and a plurality of probes. A plurality of cantilever probes are fastened to the plurality of channels of the holder by the spring clips. The wells of a well plate are filled with a functionalization solution, wherein adjacent wells in the well plate are separated by a dimension that is substantially equal to a dimension separating adjacent channels of the plurality of channels. Each cantilever probe that is fastened within the plurality of channels of the holder is applied to the functionalization solution that is contained in the wells of the well plate.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus that holds the probes to a solid support throughout the passages of the functionalization process, thus avoiding user-dependent breakage or damage of the fragile AFM cantilevers. The apparatus allows the tips of the AFM probes to be placed face-down, which avoids the deposition of contaminants on their functional side. The device also allows functionalizing the tips with small liquid volumes and cleaning. The present invention includes a functionalization process preventing non-specific adsorption of molecules on the tip.

Abstract: An approach for the thermomechanical characterization of phase transitions in polymeric materials (polyethyleneterephthalate) by band excitation acoustic force microscopy is developed. This methodology allows the independent measurement of resonance frequency, Q factor, and oscillation amplitude of a tip-surface contact area as a function of tip temperature, from which the thermal evolution of tip-surface spring constant and mechanical dissipation can be extracted. A heating protocol maintained a constant tip-surface contact area and constant contact force, thereby allowing for reproducible measurements and quantitative extraction of material properties including temperature dependence of indentation-based elastic and loss moduli.

Abstract: An all-metal microdevice or nanodevice such as an atomic force microscope probe is manufactured from a copper-hafnium alloy thin film having an x-ray amorphous microstructure.

Abstract: Provided is a highly selective and non-destructive method and apparatus for the measurement of one or more target molecules within a target environment. The apparatus comprises of a modified AFM (atomic force microscope) tip to create a tapered nanoscale co-axial cable, and wherein the application of an alternating potential between the inner and outer electrodes of the co-axial cable creates a dielectrophoretic force for attracting molecules toward the tip-end which is pre-treated with one or more specific ligands.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using positionally controlled molecular tools in an inert environment (such as ultra high vacuum) to fabricate complex atomically precise structures, including diamond, graphite, nanotubes, fullerenes, additional sets of the selfsame molecular tools, and others. Molecular tools have atomically precise tooltips which interact directly with a workpiece to add, remove, and modify specific atoms and groups of atoms, and have handles by which they can be held and positioned; tools can be recharged after use. Specific tooltips are brought into contact with and bond to specific feedstock molecules distributed on a presentation surface, and then transfer said feedstock molecules to specific atomic sites on a workpiece using mechanosynthetic chemical reactions. Specific sites on a workpiece can be made chemically reactive, facilitating the transfer of specific groups to them.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using positionally controlled molecular tools in an inert environment (such as ultra high vacuum) to fabricate complex atomically precise structures, including diamond, graphite, nanotubes, fullerenes, additional sets of the selfsame molecular tools, and others. Molecular tools have atomically precise tooltips which interact directly with a workpiece to add, remove, and modify specific atoms and groups of atoms, and have handles by which they can be held and positioned; tools can be recharged after use. Specific tooltips are brought into contact with and bond to specific feedstock molecules distributed on a presentation surface, and then transfer said feedstock molecules to specific atomic sites on a workpiece using mechanosynthetic chemical reactions. Specific sites on a workpiece can be made chemically reactive, facilitating the transfer of specific groups to them.

Abstract: Multiplexed printing and sensors for biological applications. Sensors can be made with high sensitivity and by high throughput methods. Multiple capture molecules can be applied to the same or different sensor elements such as cantilevers. The sensor element can be a microcantilever. Direct write lithography from nanoscopic tips can be used to make the sensor. Proteins and hydrogels can be printed. Specific binding can be detected.

Abstract: An instrument includes a probe having a porous tip, a tip positioning apparatus to position the tip with respect to a sample material, a probe positioning apparatus to position the probe and sample material with respect to each other, and a controller. The controller controls the probe positioning apparatus in positioning the probe over the sample and controls the tip positioning apparatus in lowering the tip into the sample material to produce an interaction between the porous tip and the sample material.

Abstract: The optical electric field enhancement element of the invention comprises a nanorod where a conductive layer and an insulating layer are laminated. In particular, the optical electric field enhancement element comprising a tungsten oxide nanorod exhibits a high enhancement effect not by an aggregate of fine crystals but by the crystal structure itself, therefore securing good reproducibility and a stable Raman scattering enhancement effect. A sensor comprising the optical electric field enhancement element enables various high-precision analyses heretofore impossible in the art.