Quantum point contact
Imagine playing with a water hose that has a very small opening. When you press on the hose, the water that comes out goes in a straight line and it is very hard to move it to the sides. This is kind of like a quantum point contact.
A quantum point contact is made up of really tiny wires that are so small they can only fit a couple of atoms wide. Think of them like straw where only one atom at a time can pass through.
When electricity flows through these tiny wires, it's like the water flowing through the small opening in the hose. The electricity can only go straight through the wire, just like the water. But if we apply a force, called a voltage, to the wire, the electricity is pushed to one side or the other, like when we try move the stream of water by pressing it with our hands.
Scientists use quantum point contacts to study how electrons move in really small spaces. They also use them to make tiny circuits and computer components. It's amazing how much we can learn about the world by studying these tiny things!
A quantum point contact is made up of really tiny wires that are so small they can only fit a couple of atoms wide. Think of them like straw where only one atom at a time can pass through.
When electricity flows through these tiny wires, it's like the water flowing through the small opening in the hose. The electricity can only go straight through the wire, just like the water. But if we apply a force, called a voltage, to the wire, the electricity is pushed to one side or the other, like when we try move the stream of water by pressing it with our hands.
Scientists use quantum point contacts to study how electrons move in really small spaces. They also use them to make tiny circuits and computer components. It's amazing how much we can learn about the world by studying these tiny things!