Thesis-PDF - IAP/TU Wien

these assembly functions for us. 2
These claims touched the heart of the subject, the structuring and the functionalization
of matter at the nanoscale. But only more than twenty years later, in
1981, with the invention of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) (see chapter
3) it became possible to directly acquire images of solid surfaces with atomic
resolution. Along with the STM came the possibility to move and manipulate
atoms one by one.
Since then the science of the small has seen explosive growth. Nanotechnology
today is a huge field in which various sub-fields begin to shape, some having
counterparts in macroscale physics ([14]):
Nanomaterials/Nanochemistry - These fields are dealing with the creation and
manipulation of chemical and supramolecular functional systems and materials.
These new structures possess a wide range of novel properties, e.g. systems that
can be switched or controlled, systems with adjustable characteristics or functional
coatings (e.g. with nanoparticles).
Nanoelectronics - Although the transition from microelectronics to nanoelectronics
is not clearly defined, integrated circuits with feature sizes of 90 nm and
below are generally called nanoelectronics. It is reckoned that a further miniaturization
of electric circuit feature sizes down to 20 nm and below is going to
take place within the next decade. In order to achieve this, optical lithography for
circuitry layout will have to be replaced by new technologies, as it is limited by
the minimum wavelength that can be used.
Nanooptics - Includes the research, development and production of optical components,
structures and systems at the nanoscale. That includes ultraprecision
photonics, nanometer precise lens systems or laser technology for optoelectronical
components. It deals with technologies for photon generation, detection and
control at the nanoscale.
Bionanotechnology - Technological processes are combined with the knowledge
of biosystems at the nanoscale. The connection is made coming from two di-
2 One of these functions even could be the replication of the machine itself. This replicator
could then make copies of itself, and those copies make copies again and so on. After a little
while there were just enough of these robots for whatever purpose they where designed primarily
for, given enough resources to work with. ([15])
That these thoughts are not so exotic as they might seem is backed up by a NASA study
document ([16]) of 400 pages reviewing the possibility of putting such replicating machinery
to use in space (as early as 1980 and with conventional technology). A lunar factory, as self
replicating system (SRS) that could expand itself to the required extent, reproducing parts of
itself as needed and assemble them accordingly. One can conceive the idea of autonomously
exploring space and in this way prepare the arrival of human astronauts. The analogy from such
a self replicating lunar facility to systems on the nanoscale is reviewed in detail by Merkle ([17]).
E. Drexler called the ability of self replication the ’holy grail’ of mechanosynthetic nanoassembly
([18]).
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