Scientists have detected and mapped the electronic spins in a new jot down of transistor.
This research may lead to faster computers that take advantage of electrons natural magnetism instead of just their charge.
The discovery could be part of a coming revolution in the field that includes quantum computers.
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Current electronics use the electron charge to make calculations.
But monitoring the spin of electrons has proved difficult.
ESR uses the same physical principle as the MRI machines that create medical images.
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To measure the transistor, the gadget had to be cooled to just 4 degrees above absolute zero.
A compound called molybdenum disulfide was used because its atoms form a nearly flat two-dimensional (2D) structure.
Advances in Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is another area of computing that is rapidly advancing.
Honeywellrecently announcedthat it had set a new record for quantum volume, a measure of overall performance.
The usual speed measures like megahertz dont apply to quantum computing.
The important part about quantum computers isnt about speed in the way we think about speed with traditional computers.
“In fact, those devices often operate at much higher speeds than quantum computers,” Levy said.
Early-stage quantum computers already exist, but researchers are struggling to find a practical use for them.
Quantum computers wont be available for the average user for years, Levy said.
