The freestanding assembly of one-dimensional nano-structures, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbonaceous materials, on a protruding tip is essential for achieving high-performance probes for scanning probe microscopy (SPM) 1. Their fabrication, using methods such as mechanical attachment 1, dielectrophoresis 2, chemical vapor growth 3, and magnetophoresis 4, has been very successful for making devices that demonstrate the feasibility of such research. However, the fabrication of high-performance probes with fully controlled length, orientation, and apex shape is still difficult. For industrial use, the reproducible fabrication of probes with the same morphology is highly desired.
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