Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes liberating feed atoms and forming at least one nanotube from the liberated feed atoms. Feed atoms disposed over a front side of a substrate are liberated in response to electromagnetic radiation that propagates from the back side of the substrate, through the substrate, to the front side of the substrate. And, from the liberated feed atoms, at least one nanotube is formed over the front side of the substrate in response to at least one catalyst separate from the substrate and disposed over the front side of the substrate and over the feed atoms.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes liberating feed atoms and forming at least one nanotube from the liberated feed atoms. Feed atoms disposed over a front side of a substrate are liberated in response to electromagnetic radiation that propagates from the back side of the substrate, through the substrate, to the front side of the substrate. And, from the liberated feed atoms, at least one nanotube is formed over the front side of the substrate in response to at least one catalyst separate from the substrate and disposed over the front side of the substrate and over the feed atoms.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes liberating feed atoms and forming at least one nanotube from the liberated feed atoms. Feed atoms disposed over a front side of a substrate are liberated in response to electromagnetic radiation that propagates from the back side of the substrate, through the substrate, to the front side of the substrate. And, from the liberated feed atoms, at least one nanotube is formed over the front side of the substrate in response to at least one catalyst separate from the substrate and disposed over the front side of the substrate and over the feed atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a free atom nanotube growth technology capable of continuously growing long, high quality nanotubes. This patent application is a Continuation In Part of the Trekking Atom Nanotube Growth patent application #14037034 filed on Sep. 25, 2013. The current invention represents a departure from chemical vapor deposition technology as the atomic feedstock does not originate in the gaseous environment surrounding the nanotubes. The technology mitigates the problems that cease carbon nanotube growth in chemical vapor deposition growth techniques: 1) The accumulation of material on the surface of the catalyst particles, suspected to be primarily amorphous carbon, 2) The effect of Ostwald ripening that reduces the size of smaller catalyst particles and enlarges larger catalyst particles, 3) The effect of some catalyst materials diffusing into the substrate used to grow carbon nanotubes and ceasing growth when the catalyst particle becomes too small.