Nanometre-scale deposition of colloidal Au particles using electrophoresis in a nanopipette probe

We describe a novel technique of local electrophoretic deposition of colloidal particles using a scanning probe microscope with a nanopipette probe filled with a colloidal solution. The colloidal solution including nanometre-scale particles was put into the nanopipette probe. A thin metal wire was inserted into the nanopipette probe as an electrode for the electrophoretic deposition. With the probe edge nearly in contact with the conductive surface and with an electric potential applied between the electrode and the surface, the colloidal particles migrated toward the edge of the probe, causing them to be deposited on the surface. It was possible for nanometre-scale Au colloidal particles in an aqueous solution to be deposited on Si surfaces. The size of the Au dots could be modified by adjusting the deposition time and voltage. Dot array and line patterns were successfully plotted on the surface. This technique of local deposition should provide the possibility for fabricating nanostructures such as nanomachines and nanoelectronics.