Nano‐machining of gold and semiconductor surfaces

Abstract

SUMMARY Using a scanning tunnelling microscope tip formed by cutting a platinum wire, we have modified the surfaces of gold and Hg 1‐x Cd x Te on a nanometre scale by mechanical contact between the tip and the surface. By using the same tip to form images, we have been able to gain ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of surfaces that have been selectively ‘sanded’, controllably ‘chiselled’, and ‘swept’. We have also obtained images taken under glycerin of Hg 1‐x Cd x Te and of the diluted magnetic semiconductor Hg 1‐x Mn x Te.