A quantum leap, using silicon

By Alun Williams

Posted on 20 Aug 2002 at 11:24

A quantum computer may sound futuristic, but researchers are working on such a model using existing silicon fabrication techniques...

In this case, 'quantum potential' relates to a new style of computing based on today's component technologies. According to the EE Times, academics at the American University of Wisconsin have already begun building a prototype.

It seems that the spin of a single electron is used to represent binary values. With both 'vertical' and 'horizontal' tunnelling being used, an 'upward' spin represents the value '1' and a 'downward' spin represents '0'. A single electron can also represent both values - in an indeterminate quantum spin - to help create a parallel process. Quantum bits (qubits) - which house a single electron - are contralled by electrostatic gates.

According to said professor Mark Eriksson, of the university's Department of Physics: 'Our precise modelling elucidates the specific requirements for scalable quantum computing - for the first time we have translated the requirements for fault-tolerant quantum computing into the specific requirements for gate voltage control electronics in quantum dots.'

You can read the full scientific details on the EE Times Web site.