Physicists at Loughborough University have created what they claim is "the world's smallest violin," a platinum microscopic image measuring just 35 microns long and 13 microns wide—small enough to fit within the width of a human hair, though it's not actually a playable instrument but rather a demonstration of cutting-edge nanolithography capabilities.
The platinum nanolithography process used to create miniature structures like the world's smallest violin involves several precise steps. Typically, the process begins with coating a substrate with a photoresist material that is then exposed to ultraviolet light through a photomask containing the desired pattern1. After development, platinum is deposited onto the patterned substrate through techniques such as electron beam lithography, which can achieve features as small as a few nanometers by scanning a focused electron beam across the surface1. For platinum specifically, the metal can be deposited using focused ion beam lithography, where gallium ions directly pattern the material onto the substrate1. The final step involves a "lift-off" process where the remaining photoresist is removed using acetone with ultrasonic agitation, leaving behind only the platinum in the desired pattern2. This sophisticated nanofabrication technique allows scientists to create intricate structures at scales far smaller than the width of a human hair.
The NanoFrazor represents cutting-edge thermal scanning probe lithography (t-SPL) technology that enables precise 3D nanofabrication with remarkable resolution. Using an ultrasharp, heatable probe tip, it can create nanostructures with lateral resolutions as fine as 15 nm and vertical resolutions down to 2 nm12. What sets the NanoFrazor apart is its innovative Closed-Loop Lithography (CLL) system that provides in-situ imaging during the writing process, allowing for markerless overlay and real-time adjustments with sub-2 nm vertical precision13.
Unlike traditional electron beam lithography, the NanoFrazor doesn't require vacuum conditions or wet chemistry for resist development, making it ideal for sensitive materials like nanowires and 2D materials3. The system's versatility has been enhanced with the introduction of a modular design that can incorporate ten parallel patterning cantilevers (Decapede) for increased throughput, as well as Direct Laser Sublimation (DLS) capabilities for faster microlithography41. This technology has proven valuable for applications ranging from quantum devices and nanoscale electronics to nanophotonics, meta-optics, and even biomedical research through chemical nanopatterning435.
The tiny violin created by Loughborough University physicists measures just 35 microns long and 13 microns wide, making it smaller than many microscopic organisms.12 For perspective, this platinum marvel is tinier than the diameter of a human hair (which ranges from 17 to 180 microns) and even smaller than many tardigrades or "water bears" (which measure between 50 to 1,200 microns).13
The miniature violin was created as a playful nod to the popular phrase "Can you hear the world's smallest violin playing just for you?"—an expression of mock sympathy used in response to exaggerated complaints, popularized in shows like MAS*H and SpongeBob SquarePants.45 Despite its whimsical nature, Professor Kelly Morrison, head of Loughborough's Physics Department, emphasized that the project established important groundwork for ongoing nanoscale research that could contribute to advancements in computing efficiency and energy harvesting technologies.36
