Magnetic waves sensor consisting of only 11 atoms

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a sensor that is

only 11 atoms in size. The sensor has an antenna, a readout capability, a reset
button and a memory unit.

The researchers hope to use their atomic sensor to learn more about the
magnetic waves, so that hopefully such waves can be used in the development of
green optimal communication technology.

In theory, they can make electronic data processing much more efficient by
switching to spintronics. is the study of the intrinsic spin of the electron and its
associated magnetic moment, in addition to its fundamental electrical charge, in
solid state devices. Instead of using electrical signals, this technology makes use
of magnetic signals to transmit data. Unfortunately there is a problem,
magnetism tends to get incredibly complicated, especially at the tiny scale of
computer chips. You can view a magnetic wave as millions of compass needles
performing a complex collective motion script. Not only do the waves propagate
extremely fast, causing them to vanish in nanoseconds, the tricky laws of
quantum mechanics also allow them to travel in multiple directions at the same
time. This makes them even more elusive.

Consisting of only eleven atoms, the device is equipped with an antenna, a

readout capability, a reset button and a memory unit to store the measurement
outcomes. The central idea is that the device instantly detects a passing magnetic
wave and remembers this information.

One fact to mention is that researchers compare it to a "mouse trap". Explains: "A
mouse is typically too fast and too small to capture by hand. But a mouse trap
reacts very quickly and then hold the mouse in place.".

The researchers connected the device to magnetic atomic cables through which
magnetic waves were sent. Although the test leads were still very short, the
results are incredible: the waves moved in a very peculiar way, as would be
expected from quantum mechanics. The next step is also to apply this technique
to more complicated circuits to obtain a better understanding of the behavior of
spintronics.