Manipulation of atoms and molecules with the low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope

The controlled manipulation with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) down to the scale of small molecules and single atoms allows the buildup of molecular and atomic nanostructures. In the case of the lateral manipulation of adsorbed species, in which only tip/particle forces are used, three different manipulation modes (pushing, pulling, sliding) can be discerned. Vertical manipulation of Xe and CO is demonstrated, leading to the formation of functionalized tips, which can be used for improved imaging and even to perform vibrational spectroscopy on single molecules. Furthermore, we describe how we have reproduced a full chemical reaction with single molecules, whereby all basic steps, namely, preparation of the reactants, diffusion and association, are induced with the STM tip.