The quest for the next step in the evolution of electronic gadgets and devices is on. Some believe that Graphene is the next logical step forward. And that seems to be sound assumption to make for now. Silicon based chips have reached their optimum potential and they really cannot get much faster and smaller than they are at the moment. If we want to make sleeker gadgets of tomorrow that are more powerful, then we need to look toward different substances for synthesis of electronic components, and, Bismuth Antimony films might be another option.
Shuang Tang and Mildred Dresselhaus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have come up with a mathematical model that seems to indicate that Dirac cones exist in bismuth and antimony films at ultra low temperatures. While theory is yet to be tested under lab conditions, scientists are hopeful about the outcome as such existence of the Dirac cones could mean that the bismuth antimony films could be used for synthesis of cheaper and faster electronic devices in future.
The idea and the theoretical existence of the Dirac cones is particularly significant as it was previously thought that they only existed in graphene and graphynes. But, if lab testing backs up the theory, then with further development one could actually see different devices that are made out of same material in electronic circuits and this will significantly bring down production costs as well.
Via: Physicsworld
