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The ability to analyze single dopant atoms could help engineers squeeze further power out conventional computer systems, say the researchers. As electronic components are gradually scaled down to nano-dimensions - to pack more power into the same physical area - the precise position and behavior of each dopant atom becomes crucial to the functioning of that component.
"The fact that dopants are randomly spread causes a severe limit on the amount of miniaturization you can achieve," Rogge told New Scientist. "We don't have a solution to that problem but we have the toolbox to study a single impurity."