Shulou(Shulou.com)05/31 Report--

This research is a promising step towards manipulating and controlling the quantum behavior of high-energy or "hot" electrons-which is important for future efficient solar cells and atomic engineering systems, including the proposed quantum computing devices.

The team worked with colleagues at the University of Birmingham to inject electrons into the silicon surface using a scanning tunneling microscope and decorate it with toluene molecules. When electrons travel across the surface from the tip, they induce toluene molecules to react and "rise" from the surface.

By measuring the precise atomic position of molecular motion, the team determined that electrons maintained their initial trajectory or quantum state during the initial 7-nanometer journey, and then randomly dispersed them before they were disturbed, like a ball in a needle-a ball machine. It is essentially a transformation from a quantum system to a classical system.

Dr Peter Sloan of the University of Bath said: "because the lifespan is very short, about 1/1000000000 seconds, it is difficult to observe hot electrons." this visualization technology provides us with a new level of understanding. we were surprised to find that the initial quantum trajectory remained constant long enough for a single electron to "scatter" on a disk 15 nanometers in diameter.

Quantum physics requires electrons to behave like waves. Just as a pebble falls into a stationary pond to form a concentric ring, they will form within the first 7 nanometers, as will hot electrons. When we inject it into the surface, the electron starts as a tiny object smaller than a nanometer in diameter, and then it quietly spreads out and gets bigger and bigger. When it is disturbed (losing its original quantum properties), it reaches this size and forms a series of rings with a diameter of 15 nanometers. It may look small, but on an atomic and molecular scale, it's actually a huge size. "

Professor Richard Palmer of the University of Birmingham explained: "these findings are very important and are made at room temperature." they show that the quantum behavior of electrons that are easily available near absolute zero (- 273) persists at milder room temperatures and scales of more than 15 nanometers. these results suggest that future atomic quantum devices can work without liquid helium coolant. "

Now the team has developed a method of visualizing quantum transport with the goal of understanding how to control and manipulate the initial quantum state of electrons. As Professor Palmer puts it: "the significance of being able to manipulate the behavior of hot electrons is profound; from improving solar energy efficiency to improving cancer treatment and radiation therapy."

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