Visualization of single-walled carbon nanotubes electrical networks by scanning force microspy

In this letter, a method is presented to qualitatively investigate the electrical connection between single-walled carbon nanotubes and gold electrodes. By applying a time independent bias voltage to the scanning force microscope tip, there is a clear apparent growth effect in the topography of the electrically connected carbon nanotubes. This effect is induced by the electrostatic interaction of the tip with the free charges located at the conducting areas of the surface. This is a general method that could be applied to any molecular conducting nanowire. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.