Researchers develop semiconductor for manipulating electron spin

Quantum computing isn't exactly synonymous with mainstream (yet), but a team of engineers at the University at Buffalo are looking to overcome some of the most prominent hurdles "that have prevented progress toward spintronics and spin-based quantum computing." Apparently, these gurus have conjured up a semiconductor that "provides a novel way to trap, detect and manipulate electron spin," the latter of which is the most notable. Essentially, the UB group's scheme could open up "new paradigms of nanoelectronics," and it manages to stand out from prior efforts by requiring fewer logic gates and promising to operate in much warmer (20-degrees Kelvin versus 1-degree Kelvin) conditions. Now that they've figured out how to dictate single spin, the subsequent step would be to "trap and detect two or more spins that can communicate with each other" -- you know, a vital precondition for quantum computing.

[Thanks, Jordan]

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 17th 2007 7:08AM]

These devices would not work in the "no spin zone".

[B @ Oct 17th 2007 7:23AM]

Frikkin sweet.

[Jagannath A @ Oct 17th 2007 7:34AM]

hope we dont get into a HalfLife kinda mess :D
Dr.Gordon Freeman becareful :P

[melloncollie @ Oct 17th 2007 10:21AM]

Yes, because that's possible.

[kookabura @ Oct 17th 2007 7:44AM]

Well... 20 degrees K is really MUCH warmer...

[fakeduffy @ Oct 17th 2007 7:56AM]

USELESS NERD CORRECTION OF THE DAY:
It's "20 kelvin" and "1 kelvin". There are no degrees on the Kelvin scale.

[macona @ Oct 17th 2007 2:37PM]

Yeah, but if engadget put 20 kelvin most people would not no its temperature.

[macona @ Oct 17th 2007 2:38PM]

Yeah, but if engadget put 20 kelvin most people would not know its a temperature.

[Gavin Greenwalt @ Oct 17th 2007 5:42PM]

Yeah, but if engadget put 20 degrees kelvin most people would not know its a temperature.

[randy @ Oct 17th 2007 11:41AM]

That chip is SWEET. Looks like somebody found it embedded in the severed arm of a droid from the future.

[scolen2 @ Oct 17th 2007 11:57AM]

It seams that it takes a highly advanced topic on
quntium computing to scare away all the mac haters out there and for once have a nice quiet and civil forum.

Btw, you ruined the outcome by measuring it!