First functional quantum processor created, lasted slightly longer than your last Xbox 360

UK researchers said they were getting close earlier this year, but in one brilliant fraction of a second a gaggle of Yalies beat those limeys to the punch, with a team led by Robert Schoelkopf, a professor of Applied Physics at Yale, creating what's being hailed as the first quantum processor to actually perform calculations. It's composed of aluminum atoms grouped together to form two quantum bits, communicating over an unimaginatively named named quantum bus that enables one to change the (wait for it) quantum state of the other. This first qubit shifter was able to maintain state for 1,000 times longer than any previous qubit ever produced -- but since its predecessors could only manage a nanosecond's worth of cognition we're still only talking a microsecond here. In other words: there's still a long way to go before you'll be slotting one of these into your gaming rig.

[ch3burashka Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:02AM]

I have no quantum education, but I can't imagine they can make stable quantum computers that are cheap enough for consumers. Maybe in 50-100 years, and most of us won't live long enough to own one. Then again, one can hope...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 20th 2009 10:00AM]

As usual with generic press, the text is almost 90% bullshit.

1- It was not the first quantum computation : they have done things with NMR before.
2- These qubits do not live 1000 times longer than previous ones at all. They don't even live longer than the first superconducting qubits (merely 100 times), and they live shorter than other types of qubits like cold atoms.
3- These are not "aluminum atoms grouped together to form qubits", these are superconducting circuits which are made from aluminum and which act like qubits.
4- Blake Johnson is the 5th author in this paper. Leonardo Di Carlo is the 1st one.
5- The picture is NOT Blake Johnson.

Go read the paper before publishing a news like this :
http://arxiv.org/abs/0903.2030

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:32AM]

Sorry
point 2 should read : "They don't even live 1000 times longer than the first superconducting qubits."

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:34AM]

A really good example of http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1174

[Giga Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:43AM]

Not a fair comparison, anything last longer than a xbox.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 29th 2009 12:40PM]

Too much hair, but nice!

[tylersmyler Posted Jun 29th 2009 3:58PM]

that's what she said



honestly, first time I've used that.. on here.

[xgamer99 Posted Jun 29th 2009 12:48PM]

Is there a speed benefit to quantum computing? I mean, the way processor manufactures are dishing out quad-core and octo-core (?) processors with more than enough speed to handle any gaming, is it really necessary to go quantum?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 29th 2009 2:03PM]

If what I've heard about quantum computing is true then yes there is a huge speed benefit. Quantum computers at their base level don't use binary, that is why they will, in the long run, out preform regular computers. The problem is that even if we manage to develop a good quantum processor, computers will basically have to be reinvented to use them. All the same, when they come out and I'm 50 I might just be waiting in line to get one.

[hotpockets Posted Jun 29th 2009 1:30PM]

NOOOO!! Quantum Leap was my favorite show, don't ruin it with Scott's pic.

[Kris91 Posted Jun 29th 2009 1:39PM]

What are people gonna think when they see that image as I scroll down the main page?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 8th 2009 5:58AM]

The people are losing their moral while becoming modern. The society needs to be attentive that moral values. Well things needs to be modernized but keeping intact with moral values.foreclosure auctions

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 8th 2009 6:05AM]

Well, it’s shocking and needed an immediate attention to sort out at the earliest.
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