Dip Pen Nanolithography

Here is a “Nanimation” of the Dip Pen Nanolithography Process in Action, so let me explain the DPN method to you:

• the apparatus you see is a generic atomic force microscope.
• this technology provides us with high resolution tip positioning which makes nano-patterning possible.
• complete probe-scanner control is critical for high quality lithography.
• note that the probe directly writes ink molecules onto the surface.
• as a research tool, a single pen system is very versatile.
• however, for industrial applications, NanoInk is increasing the throughput and efficiency of the DPN process by using multi-probe array technology.
• here we see an array of pens writing out a complex structure.
• the data that finally appears is alkanethiol ink on a gold substrate.
• the ink molecules are so flat, about 1 nm high, that we cannot easily resolve the topography of the patterns relative to the 1 nm roughness of the gold substrate.
• thus, we imaged this DPN ink pattern using lateral force microscopy, which provides a frictional map of the ink relative to the gold.

For more information, visit Nanoink.

Other nanotechnology videos are listed below by subject matter.