Abstract: An electroconductive container that stores a nanotube product, including a container body and a cover that opens and closes the container body in which both container body and cover are made of an electroconductive material. An electroconductive fixing member can by provided in the bottom of the container for holding a nanotube product in an immovable fashion.

Abstract: The present invention realizes a probe with a high resolution, high rigidity and high bending elasticity which can be used in a scanning probe microscope and makes it possible to pick up images of surface atoms with a high resolution. Also, a high-precision input-output probe which can be used in high-density magnetic information processing devices is also realized.

Abstract: A nano-magnetic head for inputting and outputting magnetic signals with nano-region precision on a magnetic recording medium such as magnetic tapes, magnetic cards, magnetic disks, magnetic drums, etc. The nano-magnetic head uses a nanotube with its base end portion fastened to a holder that is at an end of an AFM cantilever. The tip end portion of the nanotube protrudes from the holder, and a nanocoil is wound around the outer circumference of the tip end portion of the nanotube so that signals are inputted and outputted at both ends of the nanocoil. By way of lining up ferromagnetic metal atoms in the hollow portion of the nanotube, it is possible to strengthen the magnetic signal. The nano-magnetic head is combinable with a signal controller, thus forming a nano-magnetic head device.

Abstract: A lithographic method using an ultra-fine probe needle in which a base end of a nanotube is fastened to a holder with the tip end of the nanotube protruded from the holder. The tip end of the thus obtained nanotube probe needle is brought to contact a sample surface, a voltage is applied across the probe needle and sample, and the probe needle is moved while the sample substance in the area of contact of the probe needle is removed by the application of the voltage, thus forming a groove-form pattern on the sample surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanocoils which are grown by winding carbon atoms in a helical configuration and which have an external diameter of 1000 nm or less, the method comprising the steps of: placing an indium-tin-iron type catalyst inside a reactor, heating an area around the catalyst to a temperature equal to or greater than temperature at which hydrocarbon used as a raw material is broken down by an action of the catalyst, causing hydrocarbon gas to flow through the reactor so that the gas contacts the catalyst, and allowing carbon nanocoils to grow on a surface of the catalyst while the hydrocarbon is broken down in the vicinity of the catalyst. The indium-tin-iron type catalyst may be obtained by: a mixed catalyst of indium oxide and tin oxide, and a thin film of iron which is formed on a surface of this mixed catalyst.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanocoils that uses a reactor, including the steps of: heating an interior of the reactor, causing a hydrocarbon gas to flow in the reactor, dispersing an indium/tin/iron-based catalyst in a form of particles in the hydrocarbon gas, and allowing carbon nanocoils to grow on a surface of the catalyst while decomposing the hydrocarbon near the catalyst. The method can be comprised of the steps of: disposing a rotor inside a reactor, heating an area near the peripheral surface of the rotor, causing a hydrocarbon gas to flow in the reactor, coating a part of the peripheral surface of the rotor with an indium/tin/iron-based catalyst that is in a form of particles, allowing carbon nanocoils to grow on a surface of the catalyst coated on the rotating rotor, and collecting carbon nanocoils, which are grown during a rotation of the rotor, from the rotor.

Abstract: A light receiving and emitting probe including a conductive nanotube probe needle with its base end fastened to a holder and its tip end protruded, a light receiving and emitting body formed on this probe needle, a lead wire fastened to the light receiving and emitting body, and a power supply that applies an electric voltage between both ends of the lead wire and the probe needle. Light is emitted and received by the light receiving and emitting body when an electric current passes through the light receiving and emitting body. A light receiving and emitting probe apparatus includes the above-described light receiving and emitting probe, a scanning mechanism that allows the light receiving and emitting probe to scan over a sample, and a control circuit that causes the light receiving and emitting body of the light receiving and emitting probe to receive and emit a light.

Abstract: A heat emitting probe including a conductive nanotube probe needle with its base end fastened to a holder and its tip end protruded, a heat emitting body formed on the probe needle, a conductive nanotube lead wire fastened to the heat emitting body, and an electric current supply that causes an electric current to pass through the conductive nanotube lead wire and both ends of the probe needle. The tip end of the probe needle is thus heated by an electric current flowing through the heat emitting body. A heat emitting probe apparatus includes the above-described heat emitting probe, a scanning mechanism that allows the heat emitting probe to scan over a thermal recording medium, and a control circuit that causes the tip end of the probe needle to emit heat, thus recording extremely small hole patterns in the surface of a thermal recording medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nanotube cartridge including the steps of: adhering numerous nanotubes to a surface of a holder, disposing a knife edge at an inclination to the surface of the holder so that the knife edge is raised with its tip end being in contact with the surface of the holder, and collecting the nanotubes to near the tip end of the knife edge by moving the knife edge in a direction opposite from the tip end with the tip end being kept in contact with the surface, thus allowing the nanotubes to be arranged on the tip end of the knife edge with the nanotubes protruding from the tip end. When adhering the nanotubes to the holder surface, nanotubes are merely put in a vessel, the holder is placed in the vessel, and then the vessel is vibrated.