IBM scientists developed a breakthrough transistor technology that could preview how computer chips can be made smaller and faster than what is currently possible with silicon. We propose and analyze the properties of transistors based on Mott metal-insulator transition. Such devices should scale to ultra small sizes. The conduction properties of wires consisting of just a few atoms is studied theoretically using density-functional methods.
Theoretical studies suggest how to grow uniform arrays of quantum dots or quantum wires.
In this project, the tip of an STM is used as a mechanical tool to manipulate and assemble individual molecules on a substrate, allowing at the same time visualization and characterization of the manipulation outcome. In order to make and characterize devices and materials in the nanometer size range, powerful new fabrication techniques and analytical methods are being developed.