Nanomanipulation by Atomic Force Microscopy

The linking of our macroscopic world to the nanoscopic world of single molecules, nanoparticles and functional nanostructures is a technological challenge. Researchers in nanobiotechnology face the questions “How extract and analyze a single nano‐object?”, “How to pick and place nano‐objects?” and “How to prototype a functional nanostructure?”. Here, nanomanipulation by an atomic force microscope (AFM) in combination with optical manipulation by a microbeam laser offers a practicable solution. In such a system, the AFM can be operated as a nanorobot for manipulation purposes allowing for nanometer precision. A contact free manipulation is achieved by the laser microbeam.