Nanomanipulator-assisted fabrication and characterization of carbon nanotubes inside scanning electron microscope.

We have installed two nanomanipulators, which can travel about 20mm with a minimum increment of 1 nm, for manipulation of nanostructured materials inside field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Both manipulators render motions in x, y, and z directions, providing various manipulation freedoms such as moving, bending, cutting, and biasing. In addition, we have conducted in situ characterization of the electrical breakdown of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Our results demonstrate the possibility that MWCNTs can be used as a gas sensor.