As the dimensions of electronic devices approach atomic scales, a range of new quantified phenomena appear. One such effect, Coulomb blockade, represents a frontier area of research in applied nano science. However, difficulties in fabricating devices small enough to demonstrate quantum behavior have restricted progress in this field. During Phase 1, Avoca Laboratories proposes to design and fabricate a single electron transistor capable of displaying Coulomb blockade effects. Electron-beam lithography will be used in device fabrication, and custom software will be developed to allow design of future devices. Fabrication will be performed at the National NanofabricationFacility, where Avoca Laboratories is an approved industrial user. Avoca employees make frequent use of this facility in the construction of compound semiconductor devices.Commercial Applications:SETs are expected to find use in multiple valued logic computers, extremely accurate current sources, frequency multipliers, as well as tools for fundamental physical research.
