Forum for Science, Industry and Business
  • Sponsored by:
  • Siemens
  • Siemens
  • Siemens
Search our Site:

Topic (optional):

 

Home Reports Physics and Astronomy Content

Switchyard for single electrons

next article
22.02.2008

Scientists of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) achieved to transfer very small charge "packets", comprising a well-defined number of few electrons, between metallic electrons precisely by using a single-electron pump.

 

A single-electron transistor, being able to resolve charge variations of a single electron or less, served as a charge detector to monitor the charge movement.


The successful experiment is an important milestone on the way to the setup of a new standard for capacitance, where a capacitor is charged by a well-known number of electrons.

The corresponding voltage can be measured using a Josephson voltage standard. Tracing the capacitance to a resistance via the quantum-Hall effect finally allows the realisation of the so-called "Quantum Metrological Triangle", which establishes a link between all three electrical quantum effects.

The precision aimed at in the experiment requires the demonstrated manipulation of charge on the scale of a single electron.

Erika Schow | Source: alphagalileo
Further information:
www.ptb.de/en/aktuelles/archiv/nachrichten/2008/_verschiebebahnhof.html

next article

More articles from Physics and Astronomy:

nachricht Omega Centauri — the glittering giant of the southern skies
03.12.2008 | European Southern Observatory - ESO

nachricht Fusion Facilities Review Panel assesses the facilities of the European Research Programme
03.12.2008 | Max-Planck-Institut fuer Plasmaphysik

B2B Search

Product / Service
Company / Organisation

Latest News

Proinflammatory Cytokines could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer

03.12.2008 | Health and Medicine

More evidence needed to show ‘what works’ in prevention of child abuse

03.12.2008 | Health and Medicine

Researcher discovers new giant toothless pterosaur

03.12.2008 | Earth Sciences

Event News

Dublin to host Europe’s largest interdisciplinary science conference in 2012

28.11.2008 | Event News

ECREA Barcelona 2008

28.11.2008 | Event News

The Automobile – The Transition from Energy Guzzler to Power Supplier

20.11.2008 | Event News