Water‐Bridge‐Assisted Ionic Conduction in Probe‐Induced Conical Polymer Pattern Formation

Abstract
Formation of conical polymer structures by atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanolithography (see Figure) and the electrical‐conduction mechanism involved in the AFM‐ probe‐induced patterning process are reported. The current is dominated by water‐bridge‐assisted ionic conduction. Polymer phase transition and mass redistribution occur without modification or degradation of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) material.