Abstract
Supported nanoclusters have attracted considerable attention in recent years, by virtue mainly of their unique size-dependent properties. Various novel approaches have been developed to create nano-clusters with different functionalities on surfaces. In this study, we propose an alternative approach to the assembly of various nano-clusters atom-by-atom using the tip of a scanning probe microscope (SPM) at room temperature. Half-unit cells of the Si(111) - (7×7) surface serve as nanospace (NS) arrays to confine individual adsorbates diffusing on the surface. This method is based on the transfer of single diffusing atoms among NSs by the chemical interaction force with the SPM tip. The clusters with predetermined compositions, such as Au12, Ag12, and Au5Pb, can be formed by collecting single atoms from the surrounding NSs into a pre-defined NS with successive atom manipulations.
