Jerusalem Post
Ben-Gurion University's new Laboratory for Nanoscale Systems will enable scientists to form sophisticated chips with structures dedicated to the interface of extremely small elements like single atoms and molecules. Such a newly-created 'smart surface' will help miniaturize matter wave quantum technology (MWQT), which uses single ultra-cold atoms and ions to form devices such as ultra-precise clocks, navigation systems, sensors for underground mineral deposits, communications systems (quantum cryptography) and even ultra-fast computers (quantum computing).

The 'smart surface' concept will be used to develop other devices such as bio-sensor chips and chip interfaces with organic material. To build the 'smart surface,' the facility will incorporate different technologies such as photonics (surface light guides and optics), micro-electro-mechanical moving parts and micro and molecular electronics. The smart-surface concept approaches nanotechnology in two ways, with the final goal of integration and synergism. BGU scientists will continue to focus on bottom-up fabrication, also commonly referred to as 'self-assembly,' dealing with structures between 0.1 to 100 nanometers (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter).

A "top-down" approach will specialize in the creation of the above-mentioned "smart surfaces," with structure scales on the order of 100nm to 10,000nm. Thus advanced top-down fabrication will be utilized to create an interface between self-assembled structures (from one to 1,010 atoms) and the outside world through a dynamic surface (or "motherboard") that would trap, manipulate and measure these structures. This can be considered a sort of dynamic packaging aimed at the enhanced functionality of elementary particles such as atoms or self-assembled materials.