Seven atom transistor sets the pace for future PCs (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Researchers have shown off a transistor made from just seven atoms that could be used to create smaller, more powerful computers.
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If the new atomic transistor can be made in large numbers it could mean chips with components up to 100 times smaller than on existing processors.

The Australian creators of the transistor hope it is also a step towards a solid-state quantum computer.

The transistor is not the smallest ever created as two research groups have previously managed to produce working single-atom transistors.
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The working transistor was created by replacing seven atoms in a silicon crystal with phosphorus atoms.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10146704.stm