Physicists Discover New Type of Particle--Sort Of

At the TU Delft research group of Leo Kouwenhoven, the illustrous Majorana fermion has been proven to exist in a nano-device. The Majorana fermion is one of the building blocks for the future Quantum Computer.

The device is made of an Indium Antemonide nanowire, covered with a Gold contact and partially covered with a Superconducting Niobium contact.

Two Majorana fermions (orange balls) are formed at the end of the nanowire. Electrons enter the nanowire from the Gold contact, and meet the Majorana fermion on the way. If the electron has the wrong energy (red ball), it is reflected back into the contact. If it has the right energy (green balls), it can go through the Majorana fermion via a special interaction

Article: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/04/majorana-fermions-found.html

Load Comments...

Send this Article to a Friend



Separate multiple emails with a comma (,); limit 5 recipients






Your email has been sent successfully!

Manage this Video in Your Playlists




notify when someone comments
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
  
Learn More