Methods of shape modifying a nanodevice by contacting it with a low-energy
focused electron beam are disclosed here. In one embodiment, a nanodevice
may be permanently reformed to a different geometry through an
application of a deforming force and a low-energy focused electron beam.
With the addition of an assist gas, material may be removed from the
nanodevice through application of the low-energy focused electron beam.
The independent methods of shape modification and material removal may be
used either individually or simultaneously. Precision cuts with
accuracies as high as 10 nm may be achieved through the use of precision
low-energy Scanning Electron Microscope scan beams. These methods may be
used in an automated system to produce nanodevices of very precise
dimensions. These methods may be used to produce nanodevices of
carbon-based, silicon-based, or other compositions by varying the assist
gas.