Carbon nanotubes have properties that make them an ideal tip for scanning probe microscopy. We have developed processes for the production of either single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotube scanning probe microscope tips. These tips allow imaging of surfaces that would not be possible using conventional scanning probe tips. We are applying this increased capability to imaging surfaces such as simulated Mars dust grains and endolithic bacteria to support NASA's planetary research and Astrobiology programs.

Carbon nanotube probe array:

An aligned and ordered array of addressable nanotubes could serve as an array of electrodes that would be the foundation for field emission or sensing applications. Our approach is to fabricate a nanoporous alumina film on a silicon substrate that combines most of the critical electrode design parameters into a simple and convenient process. After making the membranes (various pore diameters and interpore spacings), the nanotubes will be grown through the nanopores by either thermal CVD or using a plasma enhanced CVD process. One of the key advantages to this approach is that the porous alumina membrane provides an insulating layer and also serves as a support to the vertically aligned nanotubes.