X-Message-Number: 9989
From:  (Ken Stone)
Subject: Very small steps for mankind?
Date: Sun, 05 Jul 1998 23:35:51 GMT

SINGLE-ELECTRON TRANSISTORS MAKE QUANTUM LEAP
Researchers at Yale University have created an ultrafast, single-electron
transistor that could lead to the development of "quantum" computers the
size of a thumbtack with supercomputer powers.  The breakthrough involves
inducing a tiny part of the transistor to "resonate" with the arrival of
each electron.  That resonance creates a way to track each electron and also
gives an extra push to the electrons as they're moving through the switch,
making it 1,000 times faster than any previous device.  The first
applications of the device will likely be in astronomy and microscopy.
(Business Week 6 Jul 98)

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