Nanomachining of mesoscopic graphite

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates nanomachining of multilayer graphene using an atomic force microscope, revealing reversible electrical resistance changes due to dislocation movement and permanent modifications after repeated attempts.

Contribution

It introduces a method for nanomachining mesoscopic graphite and investigates the electrical behavior during the process, highlighting dislocation dynamics.

Findings

Reversible resistance changes linked to dislocation movement

Permanent structural modifications after multiple nanomachining attempts

In-situ resistance measurement during nanostructuring

Abstract

An atomic force microscope is used to structure a film of multilayer graphene. The resistance of the sample was measured in-situ during nanomachining narrow trenches. We found a reversible behavior in the electrical resistance which we attribute to the movement of dislocations. After several attempts also permanent changes are observed.