New quantum structures

An account is given of techniques for the fashioning of quantum wires and quantum wells of controlled size and shape from compound semiconductor materials. Rapid progress made to date with two-dimensional electron structures is being extended to semiconductors constraining conduction electron free motions to one dimension, or permitting partial motion in the third dimension. Formation processes are intimately related to epitaxial thin film crystal growth technology which allows the motion of atoms on surfaces to be governed by surface asperities that are as small as atomic thickness islands and terrace steps.