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Parallel scanning near-field photolithography: the snomipede

The deliberate attachment of functional molecules to a surface at specific places is a key technological process. Custom photo-sensitive self-assembled mono-layers allow this to be done. Functionalization may be varied by choice of wavelength, and the illuminated region must be as small as possible. Achromatic illumination with sub-wavelength resolution in a range of environments demands the use of aperture near-field exposure. This is a slow technique and demands nanometre control of aperture-to-sample spacing. The development of a platform having multiple apertures of identical size (±5nm) with independent regulation of separation makes the application of this molecular nanotechnology practical.