Information transport and computation in nanometre-scale structures.
We discuss two examples of novel information-transport and processing mechanisms in nanometre-scale structures. The local modulation and detection of a quantum state can be used for information transport at the nanometre length-scale, an effect we call a 'quantum mirage'. We demonstrate that, unlike conventional electronic information transport using wires, the quantum mirage can be used to pass multiple channels of information through the same volume of a solid. We discuss a new class of nanometre-scale structures called 'molecule cascades', and show how they may be used to implement a general-purpose binary-logic computer in which all of the circuitry is at the nanometre length-scale.
Eigler
D M
DM
IBM Research Division, Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, CA 95120, USA. eigler@almaden.ibm.com
Lutz
C P
CP
Crommie
M F
MF
Manoharan
H C
HC
Heinrich
A J
AJ
Gupta
J A
JA