[Eternal Student (OP)]

Hi.

    Moving atoms is often done with a STM (Scanning tunneling microscope).   There are several references for that.

Apparently you can also do this with an AFM  (Atomic Force Microscope).   Does anyone know a good reference for that or could briefly explain how it is done?   When I say "how" I also mean "why" it works. 

    Some low-quality references suggest there is a need to oscillate the probe tip to press down on the atom while simultaneously sweeping slightly in the direction you wish the atom to move.   By "sweeping" I mean something like using a dustpan and brush -  lift the tip slightly at the right and move back to the left, move the tip down slightly while moving left to right, repeat until the atom is moved.   "pushing down" seems difficult:  For example, If you have something like a Lennard-Jones potential determining the force between the probe tip and atom, how do you even get a downward force without getting so close to the atom that you are effectively in direct contact?   i.d.k.

    There's this reference in Nature but the article is paywalled and I'm not in a rush to buy it.   I might see if I can find it in a library sometime soon.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nnano.2009.347

Best Wishes.