Suspended architecture formation process of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The formation processes of suspended structures and bundles of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are directly observed by in situ scanning electron microscopy during chemical vapor deposition of SWNTs on a patterned specimen. SWNTs exhibit lively movements during extension from micropillar patterns, resulting in bridging, bundling, merging, and debundling. Fluctuation of the extension direction of a SWNT cantilever is observed. Swing of the SWNT cantilever is the reason for the enhanced-nearest-neighbor interconnection.