We are currently integrating two separate systems
into a Haptic SPM Interface device. Using the Nanomanipulator
manufactured by 3rd Tech and a SPM from Nanotec Electronica
we are attempting to provide realtime control of the SPM instrument
via a user controlled force feedback device. This device will
enable the user to interact with the surface being scanned while
manipulating the tip-surface interaction. We are also focusing
on a variety of experiments that will test the system’s
ability while performing research that would not be possible
in a system without a force feedback device. This coupling of
a SPM and a force feedback device promises many new novel techniques
for manipulation and data analysis that could provide the fundamental
basis for future SPM scanning methods.
Our Haptic SPM interface is not currently
completed. However, the techniques that we developing include
abilities that have not been readily available to SPM scanning
until the force feedback device was added as the control of
the SPM instrument. Our future work will include manipulating
small particles, working with biological samples, and critically
testing our ultimate ability to manipulate at the nanometer
length scale.
This work is primarily enabled by the close
collaboration of Prof. Hong Tan from the School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering and the good people from 3rd Tech and
Nanotec Electronica.
