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UK Scientists Make Transistor One Atom Long, 10 Atoms Wide
Bibek Paudel points out a story about the latest step forward in the development of nano-scale circuits. Researchers from the University of Manchester have created some of the smallest transistors ever, measuring only one atom by 10 atoms. The transistors are made out of graphene, which has the potential to replace silicon in the never-ending hunt for smaller computer technology. From NewScientist:
"There are other kinds of prototype transistors in this size range. But they usually need supercooling using liquid gas, says Novoselov. The new graphene devices work at room temperature. Such prototypes are typically made by building one atom at a time, or wiring up individual molecules. Those approaches are complex and impractical, Novoselov says. By contrast, the graphene transistors were made in the same way that silicon devices are, by etching them out of larger pieces of material. 'That's their big advantage,' he says."
One question...
How do you know it's one atom long and ten wide? maybe it's ten atoms long and one wide?
Shouldn't that be 10 Atoms long, One Atom wide?
Summation 2
Since the material in question is graphene, I'm going to take a wild guess and say... carbon.
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And I can't think of a single application where a CMOS transistor is required, where a vacuum tube wouldn't do the trick.
Life would be easier if I had the source code.