Carbon nanotubes grown in a field emission electron microscope

We have recently shown that individual single wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be grown on metallic tips in a field emission microscope (FEM) on which carbon passivation layers and Ni catalysts have been pre-deposited in situ (see Fig. 1). This allows direct observation from the nucleation stage until the end of the growth [1]. In this talk I will review this unique synthesis method and our more recent progress, and discuss the comportment of the as-grown CNTs as field emission sources and nano-mechanical oscillators.