Manipulating Electron Flow

A recent breakthrough in the field of electron flow management by scientists of National Physical Laboratory (NPL), UK and Cambridge University's Cavendish Laboratory could pave way for research into many other fields.

The device they’ve invented enables controlling the flow of electrons so as to manipulate their movement and hence obtain the desired result. This can have wide applications in fields ranging from digital communication to cancer treatment.

The device is made from gallium arsenide, which is used in satellite receivers and transistors. It consists of metallic contacts on top of the material. These contacts are used to create a force of attraction or deflection depending on the quality of the material on which the device is fixed.

Hence, if the material is pure, the deflection is less and if it’s impure, there is greater deflection. The quality of the material plays an important role in deciding the direction of flow of current.

Until this moment, there were devices to control the flow of small quantities of electrons only, but with this device it’s now possible to manipulate the flow of electron waves flowing at a high rate.

This method when fully developed can have good use in the design of computer systems. In the present generation of computer systems, the flow of electrons in and out of the processor is intermittent and random, which causes it to heat up excessively. But with this device in place, it will be possible to orient large quantities of electrons in an organized manner into the processor, which will speed up things and make them function better.