Quantum Computing Using Atom Traps

Bottomquark writes "Scientific American has an article about using an atomic conveyer belt to actively transport atoms in a quantum computer from one logic gate to another. Atoms travel passively, propelled by their thermal motions, along 10-micron-wide wires made by etching a gold layer atop a gallium arsenide substrate. A square-tooth pattern of wires on each side breaks up the magnetic tube into a chain of 0.5-millimeter-long atom traps. Varying the electric currents moves the traps along the guide, carrying their atoms with them.""