Single‐Electron Pumps and Quantum Current Metrology in the Revised SI

Abstract

The consequences of the revision of the International System of Units for electrical quantum metrology are discussed herein. Possible applications of single-electron transport pump devices and other topical state-of-the-art metrology methodologies based on quantum electrical effects are reviewed, with a focus on their potential for and implications on electrical metrology in the future.

Smart readout of nondestructive image sensors with single-photon sensitivity

“…Recently there has been a redefinition of the ampere by means of the charge of the electron [38,39]. One of the technological candidates for metrology is the singleelectron transistor (SET) [40].…”

A quantum ampere

“…In an electron pump, one electron is moved through the island at each cycle of the ac control voltage(s) at frequency f : the current pumped is thus I = ef . At present, electron pumps can achieve currents in the 100 pA to nA range [44], which must then be amplified with an accurate ratio device by a large factor to be of interest for typical calibrations. Further, the low operating temperature make these devices very expensive to implement and operate.…”

Understanding the Revised SI: Background, Consequences, and Perspectives

“…Ongoing projects with this technology include a) developing chips with an increased number of pumps to achieve fast read‐out, b) realizing quantum controlled single‐electron states, and c) realizing tests of the quantum metrological triangle with an uncertainty of . Future applications of these attoampere sources, beyond self‐referenced realizations of the unit ampere, include spintronics, shot‐noise‐free electronics, photonic technologies, and quantum information processing as discussed in this special issue article …”