Single electron computation
Canadian researchers have discovered that single silicon atoms on a standard silicon crystal serve as ‘quantum dots’, opening the prospect for single electron computation.
The single atom quantum dots measure less than one nanometre in diameter and enable unprecedented control over single electrons.
Head of research at National Research Council Canada, Robert Wolkow (pictured) said that his goal was to enable the fabrication of molecular devices. “This new control over electrons may be put to use in a number of ways,” he explained. “For example, the quantum cellular automata (qca) mechanism proposed by Craig Lent (Freimann professor of engineering, University of Notre Dame) provides an architecture for an extremely low power computer.”
Quantum dots have been tested in applications such as transistors, solar cells, LEDs and diode lasers.
