Nanoscale patterning by manipulation of single C₆₀ molecules with a scanning tunneling microscope

We report a new technique for inscribing characters, pictures and patterns on a nanometer scale by pin-point shooting at single C₆₀ molecules. An exact and sharp electron/hole injection precisely removes a single target C₆₀ molecule in the close-packed C₆₀ layer. This leaves a small dark void on the scanning tunneling microscope image. Furthermore, a pin-point shooting at a C₆₀ molecule adjacent to a void can cause the molecule to slide and fill up the void. Such a movement of a single C ₆₀ molecule provides a new way for precisely recording characters, pictures and patterns on a nanometer scale.