Nanodrawing of Aligned Single Carbon Nanotubes with a Nanopen

Single-Walled Carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are pivotal for both fundamental and applied research in nanotechnology. They are significant as molecular electrical building blocks that can be used for interconnects, transistors and sensors. Previous SWCNT lithographic techniques did not address simplicity, flexibility and speed of direct, oriented deposition at specific target locations. Reported in this paper is a development based on Fountain Pen Nanolithography (FPN) for drawing SWCNTs, and placing them with orientation under ambient conditions. We characterize the chemical nature and the orientation of the drawn structures with Raman scattering and show their placement across specific electrical contacts with alignment. The conditions for controlling the process are investigated and the characteristics of the electrical connections are analyzed for single SWCNTs and bundles. The fundamental basis of the resulting alignment from the drawing process has potential for applicability in other related systems such as inorganic nanotubes and polymers.