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Computing with Single Atoms

atomic placement options

Left: Large atomic terraces. Right: Atomic resolution patterning by scanning tunneling microscope.

As features on silicon microchips continue to shrink, the final frontier of miniaturization is a transistor on the scale of a single atom – a technology that could revolutionize computing.

PML has begun a new research program to create just such a device in manufacturable, solid-state form by harnessing two capabilities unique to NIST.

One is the ability to precisely place individual dopant atoms on a silicon surface and create atomically aligned etch masks using a technique called hydrogen-based scanning probe lithography. Detecting and manipulating the states of those atoms, however, would be nearly impossible unless they are placed in a perfectly uniform lattice – a condition made possible by an unmatched NIST capability to make the world's most highly enriched silicon-28, most recently at 99.9999% purity.

When fully developed and characterized, the devices would not only yield unprecedented insights into conventional semiconductor performance, but would define a viable path to manufacturable atom-based solid-state quantum computing and the ultimate limit for scaling electronic devices.  

precise dopant placement scheme
Left: NIST patterned sample. Dopant atom would be placed in area indicated by circle. Right: Schematics for precise dopant placement. The purple cube represents a dopant.
Released November 26, 2014, Updated February 3, 2025
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