Virtual reality backend for operator controlled nanomanipulation

Abstract

Nanomanipulation is an important tool for recent developments in nanoscale production, characterization and analysis, both in material and life sciences. Its use is actually limited because of its complexity. Especially inside a scanning electron microscope, kinematic constraints, open-loop actuators and lack of natural visual access are barriers for its widespread use and require an operator specialized on a given set-up. The approach proposed here is to use a virtual model of such a manipulation set-up, synchronized in real-time with the real set-up, to overcome the difficulties for the operator to easily grasp and control his manipulation task. Moreover, such an approach would provide a virtual feedback to implement an overall closed loop control on the set-up.