Physicists at Loughborough University have utilized advanced nanotechnology to create what they believe is the world’s smallest violin. Crafted from platinum, the miniature instrument measures just 35 microns in length and 13 microns in width. This tiny violin was developed as a demonstration project to showcase the capabilities of the university’s new nanolithography system—a cutting-edge technology that allows researchers to build and examine structures at the nanoscale.
The nanolithography system is designed to support a wide range of research aimed at discovering new materials and innovative methods for the next generation of computing devices. Professor Kelly Morrison, head of the Physics department and an expert in experimental physics, explained that while the project might seem playful, it has provided valuable insights that underpin ongoing research. She emphasized that the system enables experiments that probe materials using light, magnetism, or electricity, helping scientists observe how materials respond under different conditions. This understanding is crucial for developing new technologies, whether to enhance computing efficiency or improve energy harvesting.
Central to this breakthrough is the NanoFrazor, a nano-sculpting device from Heidelberg Instruments that employs thermal scanning probe lithography. This method involves a heated, needle-like tip “writing” extremely precise patterns at the nanoscale. To fabricate the violin, Professor Morrison, along with Dr. Naëmi Leo and research technician Dr. Arthur Coveney, began by coating a small chip with two layers of resist. The coated chip was then placed under the NanoFrazor, where the heated tip etched the violin’s pattern into the surface layer.
Following the etching process, the exposed underlayer of resist was dissolved, leaving a violin-shaped cavity. A thin layer of platinum was deposited on the chip, and a final rinse in acetone removed the remaining material, revealing the finished miniature violin. While it typically takes about three hours to produce a violin using this method, the team’s final version required several months to perfect as they refined and tested various techniques.
Loughborough University is already advancing two research projects utilizing the nanolithography system. One focuses on exploring alternatives to magnetic data storage, while the other investigates how heat can be harnessed for faster, more energy-efficient data storage and processing.