Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) - Memory Cells

03 Feb 2006 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

Scientists and engineers are looking for completely different ways of storing and analyzing information. Quantum-dot Cellular Automata are one possible solution. In computers of the future, transistors may be replaced by assemblies of quantum dots called Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCAs).This …

Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) - Logic Gates

03 Feb 2006 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

An earlier animation described how "Quantum-dot Cellular Automata" (QCAs) could serve as memory cells and wires. This animation contnues the story by describing how QCAs can be made into MAJORITY, OR, AND, and INVERTER logic gates.

How Semiconductors and Transistors Work

20 Nov 2005 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

This animation shows how semiconductor crystals work and how they are used to make transistor switches.

Molecular Beam Epitaxy

16 Nov 2005 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

Microelectronic devices are made by repeating two steps: 1) Depositing a thin uniform layer of material; 2) Then using a photographic process to pattern and remove unwanted areas of that layer.

Scanning Electron Microscope

16 Nov 2005 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

This resource describes a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It includes detailed depictions of how the electron beam is focused and used to create hugely magnified images of experimental specimens.

Scanning Probe Microscope Piezoelectric Crystals

16 Nov 2005 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

In this resource we disassemble the piezoelectric assembly of a scanning probe microscope. At its core is a white cylinder of the piezoelectric material. If you look closely, it has a granular texture that reflects the fact that it is actually made up of many small crystals.

Scanning Probe Microscope Operation

16 Nov 2005 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPMs) include Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopes (STMs or STEMs). They are the only instruments in widespread use that can actually "see" single atoms! You can skim this resource quickly to learn the general concepts of SPMs, or you can …

Fabrication of a MOSFET within a Microprocessor

16 Nov 2005 | Animations | Contributor(s): John C. Bean

This resource depicts the step-by-step process by which the transistors of an integrated circuit are made.