EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M41186/01
Title: TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRONS ON HELIUM MICROSTRUCTURES
Principal Investigator: Lea, Professor MJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: Royal Holloway, Univ of London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 November 1998 Ends: 31 October 2001 Value (£): 325,805
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Quantum Fluids & Solids
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Surface-state electrons over liquid helium form the simplest two-dimensional (2D) conductor, with very high mobility, while at low temperatures (below 1K) strong Coulomb interactions produce a 2D electron solid (Wigner crystal). Novel devices, with structural substrates and multi-layered electrodes, have been produced which enable these free electrons to move in helium micro-channels (typically 1 micron deep and 30 micron wide) and in modulated in-plane potentials. Other new devices will be developed at Royal Holloway and in collaboration with the Microelectronics Centre at Southampton University. The aim is to study Wigner crystallisation at high electron densities, electron transport in restricted geometries, such as point contacts and narrow channels, and the states of artificial atoms in classical electron dots. These experiments with non-degenerate electrons complement those with degenerate electrons and quantum dots in 2D semi-conductors. Electrons in helium microstructures could form the basis for a quantum computer. A major aim of this research is to carry out an experimental and theoretical feasibility study of quantum computing using electrons on helium.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: