.. vim: set et ts=3 sts=3 sw=3 tw=79: ******* Methods ******* .. figure:: collection/basics/geometric/graphen-sp2hybrid.* :align: center The hexagonal unit cell of graphitic carbon consists of a planar arrangement of spĀ² hybridized carbon with :math:`\mathrm{p_Z}` orbitals pointing out of the plane. The correct synthesis and identification of new materials is the key to more thorough analyses. In this chapter I will give a :ref:`historical introduction ` to the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and in the further course concentrate on the here chosen :doc:`synthesis technique ` for :doc:`fabricating samples ` with :doc:`small diameters `. I will then introduce the :doc:`microscopic setup ` that was developed to perform a :doc:`spectroscopic investigation ` of molecular :doc:`adsorption and desorption ` from individual single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). The adsorption processes have been grouped into :doc:`gas`, :doc:`solvent`, and :doc:`molecular`. .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 history.rst cvd.rst samples.rst methods.rst nitrogen.rst images.rst spectra.rst