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Tooling up for nano success
OPINION
Tooling up for nano success …Gabriel Aeppli “It is hardly original to work at the nanometer scale,” says Gabriel Aeppli, who is
The goal is to base such a computer on a Si architecture, making use of standard
the Quain Professor of Physics at University College London (UCL). Molecular
semiconductor fabrication technology. Again, the emphasis is on using a set of
biology has been engineering at the nanoscale for many years, he explains, and
nanofabrication tools to enable novel devices.
chemistry and physics have long surpassed limits measured in nanometers. Aeppli’s statement could be considered surprising, since he is the director of the new London Centre of Nanotechnology (LCN). After all, an eight-storey building is being constructed in central London at a cost of approximately £12.5 million to the UK government, research councils, and the Wolfson Trust. But this is not to say Aeppli doesn’t have a clear vision for what nanotechnology can achieve.
Aeppli’s research on quantum magnetism has recently been recognized by the 2005 Oliver E. Buckley Prize, the American Physical Society’s premier award in condensed matter physics. Aeppli shares the honor with Myriam Sarachik of the City College of New York and David Awschalom of the University of California, Santa Barbara. While the three investigators are not collaborators, Aeppli says they go a long way back together and their independent investigations have
“Nanotechnology is not a holy grail in itself. Rather, nanotechnology is a toolkit
covered complementary aspects of quantum magnetic systems.
that has emerged from the semiconductor industry,” explains Aeppli. Using this pragmatic definition, he names two challenges. The first is to apply the tools to new areas, for example healthcare and the environment. The second is to continue making progress in information technology, which depends on maintaining and expanding the nanotechnology toolkit.
The LCN is currently taking up most of Aeppli’s time, with the purpose-built facility on course for completion in the Fall. A joint venture by UCL and Imperial College London, the center will bring together the expertise of around 30 principal investigators from the physical and life sciences, medicine, and engineering. Research will be organized around three application-oriented areas
These two challenges are reflected in Aeppli’s own research. One area of his
– novel, low-cost healthcare; new paradigms for information technology; and
work focuses on applications of nanotechnologies in biomedicine. “The aim is to
earth, energy, and the environment – and not by discipline or technique. It is
develop more sophisticated analytical tools that can be introduced into daily
clear that this is not about to be an ivory tower of research. Although he
medical practice,” he explains. Aeppli is part of a group including photonics
stresses that the three areas present large intellectual challenges – the key to
researchers and biologists that is developing chip-based systems for detecting
their academic appeal – Aeppli is quick to emphasize the center’s business
untreated DNA or proteins in small amounts, i.e. label-free diagnostics.
development plans. LCN is focusing on a set of deliverables that include immunocompatible biotissues, low-cost solar cells, and compact fuel cells.
The other large focus of Aeppli’s work centers on quantum magnetism and quantum information processing (QIP). These areas involve the exploitation of the quantum mechanical properties of matter at the nanoscale. In magnetism, Aeppli explains, once the quantum idea of spin has been accepted, ferromagnetic behavior can be described in entirely classical terms. However, in some material systems, the quantum nature of magnetism is important even for groups of spins. He uses the same picture to explain the relation of quantum computers to
Realization of these deliverables is to be managed with a clear emphasis on exploitation and commercialization. “This makes us unique in the UK and elsewhere,” comments Aeppli. In order to achieve these goals, the LCN has targeted areas where it needs to build a presence by hiring new staff. An offer has been made to a US biophysicist and very strong candidates have been found to fill positions in quantum devices and theory, says Aeppli. “We have done very well on the recruiting front.”
standard, digital PCs. Bits, which are either 0 or 1 in value, can be considered as
68
classical objects in the design of conventional systems. However, when bits are
Aeppli has high aspirations for the new center. And, once more, it is all about
generalized to quantum bits or ‘qubits’, they can be a superposition of the 0 and
nanotechnology as a toolkit to enable applications. “I will be happy if we
1 states. “Quantum computing, in essence, is what is enabled when coupled
produce a hit like giant magnetoresistance read heads or nanoparticle-based
elements display quantum behavior.” Aeppli and coworkers at LCN are working
pregnancy tests, or even a Nobel Prize,” he says.
to demonstrate quantum computing in solid-state systems at high-temperature.
Jonathan Wood
May 2005
Tooling up for nano success …Gabriel Aeppli “It is hardly original to work at the nanometer scale,” says Gabriel Aeppli, who is
The goal is to base such a computer on a Si architecture, making use of standard
the Quain Professor of Physics at University College London (UCL). Molecular
semiconductor fabrication technology. Again, the emphasis is on using a set of
biology has been engineering at the nanoscale for many years, he explains, and
nanofabrication tools to enable novel devices.
chemistry and physics have long surpassed limits measured in nanometers. Aeppli’s statement could be considered surprising, since he is the director of the new London Centre of Nanotechnology (LCN). After all, an eight-storey building is being constructed in central London at a cost of approximately £12.5 million to the UK government, research councils, and the Wolfson Trust. But this is not to say Aeppli doesn’t have a clear vision for what nanotechnology can achieve.
Aeppli’s research on quantum magnetism has recently been recognized by the 2005 Oliver E. Buckley Prize, the American Physical Society’s premier award in condensed matter physics. Aeppli shares the honor with Myriam Sarachik of the City College of New York and David Awschalom of the University of California, Santa Barbara. While the three investigators are not collaborators, Aeppli says they go a long way back together and their independent investigations have
“Nanotechnology is not a holy grail in itself. Rather, nanotechnology is a toolkit
covered complementary aspects of quantum magnetic systems.
that has emerged from the semiconductor industry,” explains Aeppli. Using this pragmatic definition, he names two challenges. The first is to apply the tools to new areas, for example healthcare and the environment. The second is to continue making progress in information technology, which depends on maintaining and expanding the nanotechnology toolkit.
The LCN is currently taking up most of Aeppli’s time, with the purpose-built facility on course for completion in the Fall. A joint venture by UCL and Imperial College London, the center will bring together the expertise of around 30 principal investigators from the physical and life sciences, medicine, and engineering. Research will be organized around three application-oriented areas
These two challenges are reflected in Aeppli’s own research. One area of his
– novel, low-cost healthcare; new paradigms for information technology; and
work focuses on applications of nanotechnologies in biomedicine. “The aim is to
earth, energy, and the environment – and not by discipline or technique. It is
develop more sophisticated analytical tools that can be introduced into daily
clear that this is not about to be an ivory tower of research. Although he
medical practice,” he explains. Aeppli is part of a group including photonics
stresses that the three areas present large intellectual challenges – the key to
researchers and biologists that is developing chip-based systems for detecting
their academic appeal – Aeppli is quick to emphasize the center’s business
untreated DNA or proteins in small amounts, i.e. label-free diagnostics.
development plans. LCN is focusing on a set of deliverables that include immunocompatible biotissues, low-cost solar cells, and compact fuel cells.
The other large focus of Aeppli’s work centers on quantum magnetism and quantum information processing (QIP). These areas involve the exploitation of the quantum mechanical properties of matter at the nanoscale. In magnetism, Aeppli explains, once the quantum idea of spin has been accepted, ferromagnetic behavior can be described in entirely classical terms. However, in some material systems, the quantum nature of magnetism is important even for groups of spins. He uses the same picture to explain the relation of quantum computers to
Realization of these deliverables is to be managed with a clear emphasis on exploitation and commercialization. “This makes us unique in the UK and elsewhere,” comments Aeppli. In order to achieve these goals, the LCN has targeted areas where it needs to build a presence by hiring new staff. An offer has been made to a US biophysicist and very strong candidates have been found to fill positions in quantum devices and theory, says Aeppli. “We have done very well on the recruiting front.”
standard, digital PCs. Bits, which are either 0 or 1 in value, can be considered as
68
classical objects in the design of conventional systems. However, when bits are
Aeppli has high aspirations for the new center. And, once more, it is all about
generalized to quantum bits or ‘qubits’, they can be a superposition of the 0 and
nanotechnology as a toolkit to enable applications. “I will be happy if we
1 states. “Quantum computing, in essence, is what is enabled when coupled
produce a hit like giant magnetoresistance read heads or nanoparticle-based
elements display quantum behavior.” Aeppli and coworkers at LCN are working
pregnancy tests, or even a Nobel Prize,” he says.
to demonstrate quantum computing in solid-state systems at high-temperature.
Jonathan Wood
May 2005