Page 90 - Principles and Applications of NanoMEMS Physics

2. NANOMEMS PHYSICS: Quantum Wave-Particle Phenomena 77

2.5 Summary

This chapter has dealt with physical phenomena exploiting wave-particle
duality. We began by addressing conditions that manifest charge
discreteness, and its consequences on the performance of transmission lines,
namely, persistent currents and current exhibiting Coulomb blockade
o
(pulsating) behavior. Then, after intr ducing the concepts of single-electron
tunneling, the effect of charge discreteness in electrostatic actuation was
presented. In this context, we saw that charging dominated by Coulomb
blockade may lead to quantized electrostatic actuation. Following this, we
addressed the manifestation of quantum electrodynamical forces, in
particular, van der Waals and Casimir forces and their substantial influence
in moving nano- and micro-meter-scale devices. The chapter concluded with
an exposition of the salient points of quantum information theory, computing
and communications. In particular, we focused on the concepts of quantum
bits, quantum entanglement, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) state,
quantum gates, and quantum teleportation. Lastly, the crucial issue of
decoherence was discussed.