The Single-Atom Transistor: perspectives for quantum electronics on the atomic-scale

Abstract

Controlling the electronic conductivity on the quantum level will impact the development of future nanoscale electronic circuits with ultralow power consumption. Here we report about the invention of the single-atom transistor, a device which allows one to open and close an electronic circuit by the controlled and reproducible repositioning of one single atom. It opens intriguing perspectives for the emerging fields of quantum electronics and logics on the atomic scale.