Background
This network entitled "Atomic and Molecular Manipulation as a new Tool for Science and Technology" with the acronym AMMIST is funded by the European Commission's 5th Framework Improving Human Potential Programme (1998-2002). The network contract (HPRN-CT-2002-00299) was concluded between the European Commission and the Participating Groups on August 1, 2002 with a duration of 48 months. Further details on the RTN programme and other networks may be found here.
Participating groups
- G. Dujardin, Coordinator, CNRS, Paris, France
- F. Besenbacher, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
- G. Meyer, IBM, Zürich, Switzerland
- Ch. Joachim, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- F. Moresco, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
- R. E. Palmer, Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory, Birmingham, UK
- M. Persson, Chalmers, Göteborg, Sweden
Objectives
The objectives of this project are to develop new tools and new concepts to manipulate individual atoms or molecules with the tip of an STM or an AFM and to use them as nano-machines. So far, efforts have concentrated on understanding the basic mechanisms for moving at will single atoms and molecules on a surface. The aim of this research program is to elaborate a new concept where atoms and molecules are considered not only as elementary building blocks of matter but moreover as nano-objects or nano-machines in themselves. Using a single atom or molecule as a functionalized nano-machine will require being able to control not only the position but also numerous geometric, electronic, chemical and mechanical parameters at the atomic level.
Applications
The network activity includes many types of connections with industry. Some connections directly derive from the network activity. For example, the low temperature STM designed by the Berlin group is now commercially fabricated by the Createc company (Germany) who hired a former PhD student of the Berlin group. A former PhD student of the Toulouse group has recently setup a new company Nanotimes (France) to sell all kinds of STM, AFM and near field optic image simulations. Birmingham is also in close contact with the Agilent company (UK) for developing the SPELS eqipment. Other connections with industry involve companies which are interested in following the results of the network. This is the case in Orsay with « Sanofi-Synthelabo » or in Toulouse with « Motorola » and « Matra».
Training Aspects
The research envisaged in this project will ensure that the expertise acquired by Ph.D and post-doctoral students covers a wide range of disciplines and techniques:
- The use of STM (including low temperature)for manipulating atoms and molecules.
- Atomic scale properties of material surfaces with a particular emphasis on insulators and wide band-gap semiconductors.
- Design, synthesis and deposition of large molecules (including biological molecule).
- Sophisticated calculation and theoretical techniques for simulation and modeling of the processes involved in the manipulations.
- Applications of manipulation to biological molecules.
- Development of new techniques such as low current STM, low temperature AFM, SPELS, Laser+STM.