Observation of Suspended Carbon Nanotube Configurations Using an Atomic Force Microscopy Tip

Mechanical behaviors of suspended carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or their bundles over a trench fabricated on a Si substrate were investigated by monitoring the oscillation amplitude of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip that interacts with the CNTs. The amplitude was considered as a function of the vertical distance between the center of the oscillating tip and the equilibrium position of the CNTs. The amplitude-distance curve (AD curve) obtained in air is interpreted as a simple model that includes the mechanical response of the suspended CNTs to the oscillating tip, the attachment/detachment of the CNTs onto the tip surface, and the oscillation of the CNTs attached to the tip. Dependences of AD curves on CNT length, bundle configuration, and the type of environment during the oscillation were investigated, and it has been found that this technique can be applied to the in situ monitoring of CNT arrangements during the manipulation of CNT networks. (C) 2009 The Japan Society of Applied Physics