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Physicists Control the Spin of a Single Electron

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the making-my-head-spin dept.

jeeb writes "Researchers of the Delft University of Technology and the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter have succeeded for the first time in controlling the spin of a single electron in a nanostructure. They are able to rotate the axis to every possible direction and to record it accordingly. This achievement makes it possible to use the electron's spin as a 'quantum bit,' the basis of a (still theoretical) future quantum computer. The researchers have published this scientific breakthrough in the August 17, 2006 edition of Nature."

7 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. Stop That by ReidMaynard · · Score: 5, Funny

    It makes the electrons dizzy.

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    Political discussion for a new world

  2. I'll say they're controlling the spin... by RomSteady · · Score: 3, Funny

    First request from the electron was for more funding for science programs.

    If that isn't controlled spin, I don't know what is. (grin)

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    RomSteady - I came, I saw, I tested. GamerTag: RomSteady / http://www.romsteady.net
  3. Researchers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The researchers working on this are doing so to obtain their PhDs. Presumably they will henceforth be known as "spin doctors".

    1. Re:Researchers by J.R.+Random · · Score: 4, Funny

      I have mod points but I couldn't use them because there was no option for "Groan".

  4. Re:How about an ansible? by JGuru42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I almost expect to see a Beowulf cluster comment coming on.......

  5. There, I Said It... by Volatile_Memory · · Score: 2, Funny

    The ability to completely control spin? I thought Bill O'Reilly could already do that...

    v.m

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  6. was it really us? by ClassicComposer · · Score: 3, Funny

    How do we know it was scientists in our universe that was able to make the electron spin? Maybe it is another team in a parallel universe that did it and we are just seeing the results. I feel bad for the other universes where the experiment failed :-/