Semi-automated Fabrication of Atomically Sharp Tips

Baird Bankovic

Here, I made an easy-to-use semi-automated machine (Zyrus) that fabricates atomically sharp tips repeatably. It does so by chemically etching tungsten wire, until the submerged portion breaks off. To avoid blunting the tip, etching needs to be terminated as quickly as possible. Zyrus monitors the etching current, and automatically terminates the etching once the current falls below a threshold. Zyrus can reliably produce tips with an effective radius of < 50nm.

Major: 
Physics
Exhibition Category: 
Physical Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Nitin Samarth
Poster Number: 
39