Fabrication, physics and applications of single electron devices

The precise control of electrons can be achieved with the Coulomb blockade effect. This effect has been known for some time but its importance has increased recently because Likharev et al. (1987-8) have advocated the use of the effect to make single electron devices and several research laboratories have demonstrated that the technology is available for making structures that are small enough for the Coulomb blockade to be used for devices.