Optical Transistor Made From Single Molecule

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers from ETH Zurich have recently managed to create an optical transistor from a single molecule in what is yet another important achievement on the road to quantum computing. The molecule itself is about 2 nanometers in size, much smaller than standard transistors, which means that a lot more could be integrated in a single chip. Dr. Hwang, lead author of the academic paper, said, 'Our single-molecule optical transistor generates almost negligible amount of heat. When a single molecule absorbs one photon, there is some probability (quantum yield) that the molecule emits a photon out. The rest of the energy absorbed turns into heat in the matrix. For the case of the specific hydrocarbon molecule that we use, the quantum yield is near 100%. So almost no heat is generated.'"

Negligible amount of heat...

[TapeCutter]

...is generated by the transitor but the compressor needed to keep it at 1.4 Kelvin will keep your basement nice and warm.

The good news...

[idontgno]

We've made a quantum optical transistor out of a single molecule!

The bad news is that the single molecule masses about 2.4 tonnes. Yeah, it's a pretty big molecule. And don't scuff it, either. We don't want to brush any carbon atoms off the surface.

Glowing processors!

[Peteskiplayer]

So does that mean we'll finally get Tron-esque glowing computer parts?! ..I'm guessing it depends on the energy level of the photons and the frequency they are released.. but please let them be a soothing blue :) In all seriousness, this sounds excellent, good job guys.

Re:Sounds Awesome

[noundi]

Really? You're not clear on how a single molecule, consisiting of electrons, protons and neutrons, can have properties similar to a transistor, meaning it works as a simple AND operator, but you know what 1.4 K is? Where did you go to school young man?