A Mechanism for Creating Variable Nanometer Gaps

摘要

The creation and control of electrodes separated by a nanometer gap can provide a direct method to interface with materials and phenomenon on the size-scale of individual molecules. In particular, the study of electrokinetic properties of liquids within nanogaps may enable new measurement modalities for determining the molecular structure and composition of materials. As discussed by the theoretical work of Bazant et al and demonstrated by the experimental work of Yi et al, the electrical impedance of fluid in nanometer channels can be dramatically different from values predicted by traditional macroscale models. When the physics of these situations are completely understood, it may be possible to apply these techniques to (1) industrial chemical processes to detect the presence of certain molecules in solution; (2) biochemical research to determine the electromechanical properties of biological molecules; and (3) molecular-electronics research to measure the electron transport properties of molecules and nanostructures. This paper reports on the development of an experimental apparatus for studying the electrokinetic properties of liquid thin films in an extremely confined state. In particular, this apparatus will act as an impedance measurement instrument where the distance between electrodes can be varied.