Foreign researchers develop a sensor with only 11 atoms

[ Instrument R&D of Instrument Network ] May 27, according to foreign media reports, researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a sensor with only 11 atoms. The sensor can capture electromagnetic waves and consists of an antenna, a reading function, a reset button, and a storage unit. The researchers hope to use their atomic sensors to learn more about the behavior of electromagnetic waves, and hope that such electromagnetic waves can one day be used for green ICT applications.

In theory, engineers can improve the efficiency of electronic data processing by switching to spintronic devices. This technology does not use electrical signals but uses magnetic signals to transmit data. Unfortunately, magnetism often becomes extremely complicated, especially on very small computer chips. An electromagnetic wave can be seen as a complex group dance performed by millions of compass needles. Not only do these waves travel extremely fast, causing them to disappear within nanoseconds, the subtle laws of quantum mechanics also allow them to propagate in multiple directions at the same time, which makes them more elusive.

To study these rapid oscillations, researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a tiny device consisting of only 11 atoms. It is equipped with an antenna, a reading function, a reset button, and a storage unit that stores the measurement results. The central idea of ​​the invention is that the device immediately detects the passing electromagnetic waves and remembers this information.

Research leader Sander Otte explained: "You can compare it with a "rat trap". Rats are usually too fast and too small to be caught by hand. But the response of the "rat trap" is very rapid and It is very strong and can fix the mouse in place."

The researchers connected the device to a magnetic atom line through which electromagnetic waves pass. Although the test line is short, the results are promising: the movement of the waves is very special, as one would expect from quantum mechanics. The next step is to apply this technology to more complex circuits to gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of spintronics.

(Original title: A sensor consisting of only 11 atoms comes out: it can capture electromagnetic waves in real time)