Dip pen nanolithography

Dip pen nanolithography is an advanced technique of atomic force microscopy. Here AFM tip carry out the delivery of molecules into desired surface through water or a solvent meniscus. DPN technique is used for surface patterning. The cantilever tip of the AFM acts as the pen. Each time the tip comes in contact with the surface of the substrate, topmost point of the tip deposits molecules into the surface. The different meniscuses used here are water meniscus, biomolecules meniscus, organic molecules meniscus, inorganic molecules meniscus etc. The various factors which affect the quality and stability of nanostructures created by DPN are temperature, humidity, speed of tip, the adhesion strength of the deposited material, adhesion between AFM tip and deposited material etc. The main application of this technology is in surface science, materials chemistry and nanoelectronics.