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Researchers Create 4nm Transistor With Seven Atoms

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the xanthir-has-almost-70k-hp dept.

EmagGeek writes "University researchers have created a transistor by replacing just seven atoms of silicon with phosphorous. The seven-atom transistor has hopeful implications for the future of quantum cryptography, nuclear and weather modeling, and other applications. 'The significance of this achievement is that we are not just moving atoms around or looking at them through a microscope,' says Professor Michelle Simmons, a co-author of a paper on the subject that is being published by Nature Nanotechnology. The paper is entitled 'Spectroscopy of Few-Electron Single-Crystal Silicon Quantum Dots'."

3 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not Holding My Breath by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You probably don't need a quantum computer to wait on I/O in your home PC.

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  2. Interesting by daveime · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I thought that phosphorus was one of those elements that is never present in atomic form, it's so reactive it immediately oxidizes to form phosphorus compounds.

    Does this mean the 7 atom transistor has to remain in a vacuum ?

    1. Re:Interesting by jo_ham · · Score: 4, Interesting

      You can just keep it in an inert atmosphere or cover it in an inert insulator.

      You can store phosphorus under oil relatively easily. No need for a vacuum per se.