Skip to Content

Atom-Thick Transistor

Graphene device makes for a stable single-electron transistor.

Researchers at the University of Manchester in England have made a single-­electron transistor using graphene, a sheet of graphite only one atom thick. Andre Geim, the professor of physics who led the work, says the transistor consists of electrical contacts that supply and collect current through three-­nanometer-wide areas containing a central island of graphene, called a quantum dot. When current is applied, an electron jumps from one contact to the quantum dot and then to the other contact. A problem with previous single-­electron transistors, says Geim, is that quantum dots of other materials, when shrunk this much, act “like a droplet of liquid on a hot plate” at room temperature. Graphene quantum dots, however, are stable. The Manchester research could yield a practical technology if fabrication techniques advance enough to produce such small features.

A single-electron transistor carved entirely in a graphene sheet. The central element is a so-called quantum dot, which allows electrons to flow one by one. The dot is connected to wider regions that have contact pads used to turn the transistor on and off.

Keep Reading

Most Popular

DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.

“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.

What to know about this autumn’s covid vaccines

New variants will pose a challenge, but early signs suggest the shots will still boost antibody responses.

Human-plus-AI solutions mitigate security threats

With the right human oversight, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can help keep business and customer data secure

Next slide, please: A brief history of the corporate presentation

From million-dollar slide shows to Steve Jobs’s introduction of the iPhone, a bit of show business never hurt plain old business.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.