From Self-Assembly to Controlled-Assembly, From Optical Manipulation to AFM Manipulation

TL;DR

This paper reviews methods for assembling and manipulating nanoparticles and atoms, highlighting the evolution from self-assembly to precise optical and AFM techniques for studying their properties.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the progression from traditional self-assembly to advanced optical and AFM manipulation methods.

Findings

Self-assembly methods like spinning and drying are well-established.

Lithography allows for limited patterning on substrates.

Optical and AFM manipulations offer precise control over nano and micro elements.

Abstract

Moving nanoparticles/atoms to study the nearfield interaction between them is one of the many approaches to explore the optical and electrical properties of these assemblies. Traditional approach included the self assembly by spinning or drying nanoparticles in aqua on the substrate is well practiced. Lithography technique is another popular approach to deposit limited nano/micro patterns on substrates. Later optical and mechanical manipulations were used to have more control over moving individual elements of nano and microstructures and even atoms. Optical tweezers, optical trapping and AFM manipulation are examples of these precise approaches.