Boffins build room-temperature nano transistor

Zardon · May 27, 2004, 02:43 PM

A collaboration between German and US scientists has yielded a single-electron transistor with a vibrating silicon arm 200 nanometres long, just tens of nanometres across, and tipped with gold.

The transistor belongs to a class of devices known as nanoelectromechanical systems, which, according to PhysicsWeb, can be manufactured fairly routinely on a nanometre scale. Traditionally, NEM devices operate in a strong magnetic field.

The device is particularly interesting because it is relatively simple to make and - because it can be switched on with AC voltage - it operates without cryogenic cooling. The researchers say it could be very useful to fundamental research in physics, as well as having a variety of practical applications.

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May 27, 2004, 02:43 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Boffins build room-temperature nano transistor A collaboration between German and US scientists has yielded a single-electron transistor with a vibrating silicon arm 200 nanometres long, just tens of nanometres across, and tipped with gold. The transistor belongs to a class of devices known as nanoelectromechanical systems, which, according to PhysicsWeb, can be manufactured fairly routinely on a nanometre scale. Traditionally, NEM devices operate in a strong magnetic field. The device is particularly interesting because it is relatively simple to make and - because it can be switched on with AC voltage - it operates without cryogenic cooling. The researchers say it could be very useful to fundamental research in physics, as well as having a variety of practical applications. register