45-Year Physics Mystery Shows a Path To Quantum Transistors

New submitter cyberspittle sends this research report from the University of Michigan: An odd, iridescent material that's puzzled physicists for decades turns out to be an exotic state of matter that could open a new path to quantum computers and other next-generation electronics. ... The researchers provide the first direct evidence that samarium hexaboride, abbreviated SmB6, is a topological insulator (abstract). Topological insulators are, to physicists, an exciting class of solids that conduct electricity like a metal across their surface, but block the flow of current like rubber through their interior. They behave in this two-faced way despite that their chemical composition is the same throughout. ... This deeper understanding of samarium hexaboride raises the possibility that engineers might one day route the flow of electric current in quantum computers like they do on silicon in conventional electronics.

Re:

[Bengie]

Quite a bit of it materializes in one way or another, many years later, and no one mentions which /. story the new tech is being used it, but it happens all the time.

Re: And they said we'd have flying cars long befor

[rickb928]

It's not the end of silicon that's in sight. It's the end of the growth described by Moore's Law, ultimately the end of shrinking silicon devices, and the beginning of either cleverer manufacturing.

It the end of civilization as we know it, depending on how many friends in the semiconductor business you have...

Re:

[ChrisMaple]

Leading edge devices will likely depart from silicon, but it's going to be a long time before silicon ceases to be the default material for active electronic devices. Silicon tolerates higher temperatures than some other semiconductors, and having a native insulating oxide is a great advantage. There's a lot of production experience with silicon, and it won't be put aside lightly.

As far as speed is concerned, in my opinion it would be greatly advantageous to have significantly faster devices. I don't like p

Re:

[stoatwblr]

diamond wafers are already a reality (albeit small sized). Sooner or later we'll step up to carbon semiconductors.

Re:

[Dishevel]

We might have a short time where good code becomes important again.

Re:

[Your.Master]

Then stop coming to a tech news site.

This is literally what slashdot is here for.

Re: And they said we'd have flying cars long befor

[Threni]

Isn't that the beer that comes in the cool, silver can?

Re:

[Jason Goatcher]

I don't drink, personally, because I'm on medication that sometimes has odd and, though rarely, deadly reactions to alcohol. But from what I've heard, it sounds like Europeans make beer that's fun to drink, while American beer manufacturers have simply created an alcohol delivery system and added marketing to it.

When I say the above, I'm simply regurgitating what my dad has said and what I've read online. Bcause, as i said before, I don't actually drink.

Re:

[camperdave]

But if you don't have any patience or ability to imagine that change is coming, you can always do us a big favor and commit seppuku.

Don't tell him that. We'll always need mindless drones to work the mines.

Re:

[Applehu Akbar]

So do we have a chemistry nutter troll now, too?

Re:

[jimmydevice]

Yes, And Microsoft didn't exist and UNIX replaced CPM when the hardware got mature (protected flat 386) to support that ideal. VMS would be the solution to datacenters and intrusions would be reduced to knocking on doors.
Keep dreaming silly person.

Re:

[jimmydevice]

Oh Wait,
I think that's what happened.
Except for VMS

Re:

[oracleofbargth]

Microsoft hired the VMS developers to write Windows NT, so technically that part happened too. Many intrusions are about as hard as knocking on a door too, so overall i think it is pretty accurate.

Re:

[Jason Goatcher]

That's nothing, in my universe the Roman Empire never fell and we had the Internet in 1000AD.

You jokers haven't even made it past the moon, while I'm looking at a sky full of stars so prevalent that we don't even need streetlights.

(yes, I'm being imaginative)

Fluff piece

[msobkow]

The summary and the article itself are so fluffy and short that they don't give any useful information about how this material relates to quantum computing, nor why it's properties are significant. There is mention of a class of electrons involved, but not how nor why this particular type of electron is relevant to quantum computing.

It sounds interesting and all, but it would have been nice to have enough information to give one something to think about instead of just having to assume that the high faluting professors know their shit and must be right. :P

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

It is short on explanations, but one of the natures of Quantum Mechanics effects is that it happens most often on the micro scale (things like single atoms). So if this material if it insulates/isolates a 1 molecule thick surface it "might" have some use (taking it a step closer) in creating the very small circuits that can show some kind of Quantum properties.

Of course 3 Degree Kelvin is really cold, so dont expect it in the desktop size anytime soon

Re:

[mynamestolen]

I don't have mod points now, so someone please give post points. As to the fluff piece accusation, I think you are being too tough. The piece provides a nice hook and some good info for anyone wanting to follow up. It is simply untrue to say there is no useful info in it.

Re:Fluff piece

[teridon]

There's a bit more information about why "Dirac electrons" (electrons behaving relativistically instead of classically) are important for quantum computing here:

http://www.michigandaily.com/n... [michigandaily.com]

Re:

[duck_rifted]

Beyond your points, we're also seeing a decline in language skills for reasons seldom addressed. When people ensure that posts contain proper spelling and *written* grammar, it takes a little extra time and effort to proofread content. Corrections especially need to be made where the author of a post is sleep deprived, emotionally agitated, distracted, or in a hurry.

Then, just as happens on most websites when people research post topics before speaking, some chucklehead appears from the woodwork to cra

Re:Insulator, Isolator

[hawkinspeter]

I think you're confused about isolator/insulator. Wires are commonly wrapped in insulation (e.g. rubber) to prevent them conducting. You can also put insulation into your walls to reduce heat loss.

An isolator is typically a mechanical switch that would completely disconnect an electrical circuit.

Re:

[duck_rifted]

Maybe in 1873, Maxwell wasn't aware of all linguistic distinctions necessary for the concepts to make sense everywhere in the world. I could be wrong, but maybe he was too busy being a physicist to also be a linguist and diplomat.

Re:

[duck_rifted]

addendum: Also, Maxwell was Scottish.

Not the first time Dirac electrons have been seen

[cruff]

Interestingly this article, also from U Mich, talks about observing Dirac electrons: http://www.ns.umich.edu/new/re... [umich.edu]

wait -- it's a network protocol?

[cellocgw]

SmB6 - is that really Samba v.6? :-)

(Hey, someone was going to post this.)

blah blah blah

[buckfeta2014]

To draw a quote from myself, re nanotubes...

Every time I hear about (snip) quantum computing (snip), they keep saying "soon soon soon"... Well, what I want to know is when this stuff will leave the research labs and be of any practical use to anyone. Either shit or get off the pot already.

Re:

[vandamme]

Well, it's at "super cold temperatures", so probably not in your lifetime. Also, according to the article, it's "...made of the metal samarium and the rare metalloid boron." So apparently there are heaps of Samarium about, but this boron, well, maybe we can mine asteriods for it, I dunno.