Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Flawed diamonds are perfect ingredients for quantum computing, just add time travel]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/07/flawed-diamonds-are-perfect-ingredients-for-quantum-computing-j/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/07/flawed-diamonds-are-perfect-ingredients-for-quantum-computing-j/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/07/flawed-diamonds-are-perfect-ingredients-for-quantum-computing-j/#comments Flawed diamonds are perfect ingredients for quantum computing, just add time travelReady to suspend your brain cells in a superposition of disbelief? Good, because the latest news published in Nature is that diamonds are a quantum computer's best friend -- particularly if they're flawed. An international team of scientists sought out sub-atomic impurities in a 1mm-thick fragment of over-priced carbon and used these as qubits to perform successful calculations. A "rogue" nitrogen nucleus provided one qubit, while a free electron became a second. Unlike previous attempts at solid-state quantum computing, this new effort used an extra technique to protect the system from decoherence errors: microwave pulses were fired at the electron qubit to "time-reverse" inconsistencies in its spinning motion. Don't fully get it? Us neither. In any case, it probably won't stop jewellers tut-tutting to themselves.

Flawed diamonds are perfect ingredients for quantum computing, just add time travel originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 06:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomcarbondiamondelectronphysicsquantumquantum computerquantum computingquantum mechanicsquantum physicsQuantumComputerQuantumComputingQuantumMechanicsQuantumPhysicsqubitsolid-state quantum computingSolid-stateQuantumComputingsub-atomicUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversityOfSouthernCaliforniaUSCSat, 07 Apr 2012 06:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Yale Physicists develop quantum computing error correction, are a qubit pleased with themselves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/yale-physicists-develop-quantum-computing-error-correction-are/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/yale-physicists-develop-quantum-computing-error-correction-are/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/yale-physicists-develop-quantum-computing-error-correction-are/#comments We're big fans of quantum computing, and hopefully it's about to get a lot more reliable. Researchers at Yale have demonstrated quantum error correction in a solid state system for the first time. Quantum bits were created from "artificial" atoms using superconducting circuits, these qubits are then given either of the typical bit states of "1" or "0," or the quantum state of both simultaneously. The researchers developed a technique that identifies each qubit's initial state, so any erroneous changes can be reversed on the fly. Until now, errors have been a barrier in quantum computing, accumulating and ultimately causing computational failure. A reliable means of fixing these state changes is essential to developing a computer with an exponential speed-up, and fully realizing the quantum dream. The team at Yale hopes that this research might mean its platform of superconducting circuits becomes the one upon which quantum computing is ultimately built. We, on the other hand, just want our parallel universe.

Yale Physicists develop quantum computing error correction, are a qubit pleased with themselves originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>error correctionErrorCorrectionquantum bitsquantum computerquantum computingQuantumBitsQuantumComputerQuantumComputingqubitresearchsciencestudyyaleyale universityYaleUniversityWed, 15 Feb 2012 21:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers wed quantum processor with quantum memory, quaziness ensues]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/researchers-wed-quantum-processor-with-quantum-memory-quaziness/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/researchers-wed-quantum-processor-with-quantum-memory-quaziness/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/researchers-wed-quantum-processor-with-quantum-memory-quaziness/#commentsQuantum computing has a long way to go before becoming truly mainstream, but that certainly hasn't stopped us from indulging in dreams of a qubit-based existence. The latest bit of fantasy fodder comes from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where researchers have become the first to combine a quantum processor with memory mechanisms on a single chip. To do this, Matteo Mariantoni and his team of scientists connected two qubits with a quantum bus and linked each of them to a memory element, capable of storing their current values in the same way that RAM stores data on conventional computers. These qubit-memory links also contained arrays of resonators -- jagged, yet easily controlled circuits that can store values for shorter periods of time. The qubits, meanwhile, were constructed using superconducting circuits, allowing the UCSB team to nestle their qubits even closer together, in accordance with the von Neumann architecture that governs most commercial computers. Once everything was in place, the researchers used their system to run complex algorithms and operations that could be eventually used to decode data encryption. The next step, of course, is to scale up the design, though Mariantoni says that shouldn't be too much of a problem, thanks to his system's resonators -- which, according to him, "represent the future of quantum computing with integrated circuits."

Researchers wed quantum processor with quantum memory, quaziness ensues originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architecturecircuitrycircuitscomputingdataMatteo MariantoniMatteoMariantonimemoryprocessorquantumquantum computerquantum computingQuantumComputerQuantumComputingqubitRAMresearchresonatorstoragesuperconductingukUniversity of California Santa BarbaraUniversityOfCaliforniaSantaBarbaravon neumannvon neumann architectureVonNeumannVonNeumannArchitectureFri, 02 Sep 2011 22:57:00 EST<![CDATA[D-Wave One claims mantle of first commercial quantum computer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/d-wave-one-claims-mantle-of-first-commercial-quantum-computer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/d-wave-one-claims-mantle-of-first-commercial-quantum-computer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/d-wave-one-claims-mantle-of-first-commercial-quantum-computer/#comments http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/d-wave-one-claims-mantle-of-first-commercial-quantum-computer/ Whether or not D-Wave has actually built a quantum computer is still a matter of debate (though, a study authored by the company and published in Nature claims to prove its success) but, whatever it is these crafty Canadians have created, you can order one now and start crunching qubits with abandon. The D-Wave One is the first commercially available quantum computer and, while its 128-qubit processor can only handle very specific tasks and is easily outperformed by traditional CPUs, it could represent a revolution in the field of supercomputing. As D-Wave scales up to thousands or tens-of-thousands of qubits, complex number theory problems and advanced cryptographic systems could crumble before the mighty power of quantum annealing... or at least give us faster Google searches. Just out of curiosity, we contacted D-Wave to see how much we'd have to cough up for a quantum desktop of our own, but we've yet to hear back.

Update: Joseph passed along an e-mail from the company with a little more information, including a price: $10,000,000. Yep, ten large, and we're not sure that includes the liquid helium required to keep it cooled.

D-Wave One claims mantle of first commercial quantum computer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercial quantum computerCommercialQuantumComputerD-WaveD-Wave OneD-waveOnedebutdwaveentanglementlaunchnaturenow availableNowAvailableOn SaleOnSaleprocessorQuantumquantum annealingquantum computerquantum computingquantum entanglementQuantumAnnealingQuantumComputerQuantumComputingQuantumEntanglementqubitWed, 18 May 2011 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers show off scalable architecture for quantum computing, expand our minds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/25/researchers-show-off-scalable-architecture-for-quantum-computing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/25/researchers-show-off-scalable-architecture-for-quantum-computing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/25/researchers-show-off-scalable-architecture-for-quantum-computing/#comments Okay, so we might be chasing the flying unicorn of modern technology here -- and, no, we're not talking about the white iPhone 4 -- but as you've probably noticed, our hunger for a quantum computer is basically insatiable. Lucky for us, some folks who actually know something about producing qubits are similarly persistent -- a team of researchers recently presented a scalable quantum chip at a meeting of the American Physical Society in good old Texas. The 6 x 6-cm processor sports four qubits, the basic units of quantum computing, and its creators say it has the potential to be scaled up to support 10 of the things within the year. So what does that mean for our quest for the ultimate super computer? Well, it means we're closer than we used to be... and the dream lives on.

Researchers show off scalable architecture for quantum computing, expand our minds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipcinematical+reviewscomputercomputer chipComputerChipentanglementfour qubitFourQubitprocessorquantumquantum chipquantum chipsquantum computerquantum computingquantum entanglementQuantumChipQuantumChipsQuantumComputerQuantumComputingQuantumEntanglementqubitqubitsscalablescalable qubit chipScalableQubitChipuniversity of santa barbaraUniversityOfSantaBarbaraFri, 25 Mar 2011 21:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists create 10 billion qubits in silicon, get us closer than ever to quantum computing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/scientists-create-10-billion-qubits-in-silicon-get-us-closer-th/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/scientists-create-10-billion-qubits-in-silicon-get-us-closer-th/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/scientists-create-10-billion-qubits-in-silicon-get-us-closer-th/#commentsqubits We are totally ready for a quantum computer. Browse the dusty Engadget archives and you'll find many posts about the things, each charting another step along the way to our supposed quantum future. Here's another step, one that we think is a pretty big one. An international team of scientists has managed to generate 10 billion quantum entangled bits, the basic building block of a quantum computer, and embed them all in silicon which is, of course, the basic building block of a boring computer. It sounds like there's still some work to be done to enable the team to actually modify and read the states of those qubits, and probably a decade's worth of thumb-twiddling before they let any of us try to run Crysis on it, but yet another step has been made.

[Image credit: Smite-Meister]

Scientists create 10 billion qubits in silicon, get us closer than ever to quantum computing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>John MortonJohnMortonoxford universityOxfordUniversityquantumquantum computerquantum computingquantum entanglementQuantumComputerQuantumComputingQuantumEntanglementqubitFri, 21 Jan 2011 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Caltech research could lead to quantum hard drives, networks, parallel universes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/27/caltech-research-could-lead-to-quantum-hard-drives-networks-pa/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/27/caltech-research-could-lead-to-quantum-hard-drives-networks-pa/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/27/caltech-research-could-lead-to-quantum-hard-drives-networks-pa/#commentsQuantum anything has typically fallen into our oft-used category of 'awesome things that'll never happen,' but if a crew of researchers at the California Institute of Technology have anything to say about it, they'll soon be changing the fortunes of that segment. The team has recently demonstrated quantum entanglement for a quantum state stored in four spatially distinct atomic memories, and while that probably just blew your mind a little bit, the breakdown is fairly interesting. Essentially, they've uncovered a quantum interface between the atomic memories, which is said to "represent something akin to a computer hard drive for entanglement." If extended, it could pave the way toward quantum networks, and in turn, massive webs of quantum computers. We're obviously decades out from understanding what this all means for the common computer user, but just remember this: "for an entangled quantum system, there exists no objective physical reality for the system's properties." And you thought The Matrix was deep.

Caltech research could lead to quantum hard drives, networks, parallel universes originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>California Institute of TechnologyCaliforniaInstituteOfTechnologyCaltechmemoryphysicsquantumquantum computerquantum computingQuantum Memoryquantum networkquantum simulatorQuantumComputerQuantumComputingQuantumNetworkQuantumSimulatorramresearchstorageuniversitySat, 27 Nov 2010 11:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark excitons could light up your quantum computer, life]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/dark-excitons-could-light-up-your-quantum-computer-life/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/dark-excitons-could-light-up-your-quantum-computer-life/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/dark-excitons-could-light-up-your-quantum-computer-life/#commentsDark excitons could light up your quantum computers, lifeYeah, we're still hanging around playing Q*bert and waiting on folks to get those qubits a spinning. Meanwhile, researchers have found a new path to follow on the way to quantum enlightenment. A new, darker path, which entails the use of so-called dark excitons as quantum bits. While doubling as a great name for future robo-gigolos, a dark exciton is an electron-hole pair with parallel spins. The parallel spin, which makes this quasiparticle "dark," also enables it to be long-lasting and, critically, to be excited with an electrical charge to set its state, a state that can then be read by looking for an emitted photon. Fascinating? Absolutely. Coming to a desktop near you? Not likely -- not unless your desktop is kept at a temperature of 4.2K, anyway.

[Image credit: Smite-Meister]

Dark excitons could light up your quantum computer, life originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark excitonDarkExcitonelectron hole pairElectronHolePairexcitonquantum computerquantum stateQuantumComputerQuantumStatequbitresearchThu, 18 Nov 2010 10:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers develop means to reliably read an electron's spin, take us one step closer to the quantum zone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/researchers-develop-means-to-reliably-read-an-electrons-spin-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/researchers-develop-means-to-reliably-read-an-electrons-spin-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/researchers-develop-means-to-reliably-read-an-electrons-spin-t/#commentsResearchers develop means to reliably read an electron's spin, take us one step closer to the quantum zone Another day, another step bringing us closer to the next big revolution in the world of computing: replacing your transistory bits with qubits. Researchers at Australia's Universities of New South Wales and of Melbourne, along with Finland's Aalto University, have achieved the impossibly tiny goal of reliably reading the spin of a single electron. That may not sound like much, but let's just see you do it quickly without affecting said spin. This particular implementation relies on single atoms of phosphorus embedded in silicon. Yes, silicon, meaning this type of qubit is rather more conventional than others we've read about. Of course, proper quantum computers depend on reading and writing the spin of individual electrons, so as of now we effectively have quantum ROM. When will that be quantum RAM? They're still working on that bit.

Researchers develop means to reliably read an electron's spin, take us one step closer to the quantum zone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aalto universityAaltoUniversityaustraliaelectron readerElectronReaderfinlandquantumquantum computerquantum computingQuantumComputerQuantumComputingqubitsiliconuniversity of melbourneuniversity of New South WalesUniversityOfMelbourneUniversityOfNewSouthWalesThu, 30 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum refrigerator could cool your quantum computer, allow for quantum overclocking]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/quantum-refrigerator-could-cool-your-quantum-computer-allow-for/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/quantum-refrigerator-could-cool-your-quantum-computer-allow-for/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/quantum-refrigerator-could-cool-your-quantum-computer-allow-for/#commentsQuantum refrigerator could cool your quantum computer, allow for quantum overclocking The quantum computer is still ranking pretty high up there on the vaporware charts, somewhere between Duke Nukem Forever and a Steorn in-home power generator. Eventually we'll get there, and theoretical physicists at the University of Bristol are helping with a quantum cooling system. It is effectively a means for two qubits to cool a third, with the outer two cooled by lasers and absorbing energy from the third, which is heated to its excited state. Unsurprisingly this is all rather theoretical at this point, but the team does plan to actually build such a quantum refrigerator in the not too distant future. Then, we figure, they'll host the first quantum kegger.

Quantum refrigerator could cool your quantum computer, allow for quantum overclocking originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>quantumquantum computerquantum computingquantum refrigeratorQuantumComputerQuantumComputingQuantumRefrigeratorqubitresearchukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomuniversity of BristolUniversityOfBristolFri, 03 Sep 2010 01:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Electromagnetically induced transparency could create a quantum internet, quantum memes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/electromagnetically-induced-transparency-could-create-a-quantum/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/electromagnetically-induced-transparency-could-create-a-quantum/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/electromagnetically-induced-transparency-could-create-a-quantum/#commentsElectromagnetically Induced Transparency could result in quantum internet, quantum memes The transistor ushered the modern world of gadgets that we all love, and now optical transistors could help to bring us to the proper next generation of the internet. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics have demonstrated successful electromagnetically induced transparency, or EIT, which is effectively a way of enabling one beam of light to control another. In their experiments, researchers used a rubidium atom to indicate state, blocking a beam of light in one direction but, when a laser hit it at a perpendicular angle, turning it transparent to allow the first beam through. The idea is that this could serve as a sort of optical gate for quantum computers; the building block of a next-gen internet for next-gen devices. There's reason for excitement about the potential here, but researchers have a long, long way to go before anything like this is ready for reality, so don't give up those handlinks just yet.

Electromagnetically induced transparency could create a quantum internet, quantum memes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 May 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eitElectromagnetically Induced TransparencyElectromagneticallyInducedTransparencyMax Planck Institute of Quantum OpticsMaxPlanckInstituteOfQuantumOpticsoptical transistorOpticalTransistorquantumquantum computerquantum internetQuantumComputerQuantumInternetresearchscienceMon, 17 May 2010 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum computer chips get infinitesimally closer to happening]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/16/quantum-computer-chips-get-infinitesimally-closer-to-happening/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/16/quantum-computer-chips-get-infinitesimally-closer-to-happening/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/16/quantum-computer-chips-get-infinitesimally-closer-to-happening/#commentsWe've already seen at least one (sort of) functional quantum processor, and one breakthrough after the other in quantum computing, but it looks like some researchers at Ohio State University have now made a breakthrough of their own that could possibly speed things up considerably. The big news there is that they've apparently found a way to fabricate a quantum device called a resonant interband tunneling diode (or RITD) using a chip-making technique called "vapor desposition," which is commonly used today for traditional chips. While there's still quite a bit of perfecting to be done on the device itself, lead researcher Paul Berger says the RTIDs could be used for ultra-low-power computer chips that operate with small voltages and produce less excess heat, and may even allow for ultra high-resolution imaging devices that can "operate at wavelengths beyond the human eye" -- opening up possibilities for everything from advanced medical imaging to the ability to see through rain, snow, fog and dust storms.

[Via Physorg]

Filed under:

Quantum computer chips get infinitesimally closer to happening originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ohio stateohio state universityOhioStateOhioStateUniversityquantumquantum chipsquantum computerquantum computer chipsquantum computingQuantumChipsQuantumComputerQuantumComputerChipsQuantumComputingFri, 16 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST<![CDATA[UK researchers take us one step closer to quantum computing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/21/uk-researchers-take-us-one-step-closer-to-quantum-computing/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/21/uk-researchers-take-us-one-step-closer-to-quantum-computing/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/21/uk-researchers-take-us-one-step-closer-to-quantum-computing/#commentsYou know, at some point we're going to grow tired of just getting closer and demand that we arrive, but thankfully for a smattering of UK-based researchers, we're not yet to that point. Reportedly, brainiacs from Edinburgh and Manchester University have created a molecular machine that could be used to develop quantum computers for making "intricate calculations" far more quickly than current supercomputers. Essentially, these gurus relied on molecular scale technology instead of silicon chips; more specifically, they achieved the so-called breakthrough by "combining tiny magnets with molecular machines that can shuttle between two locations without the use of external force." Not surprisingly, there's still more work to be done, with Professor David Leigh of Edinburgh University noting that "the major challenges we face now are to bring many of these qubits together to build a device that could perform calculations, and to discover how to communicate between them." In other words, check back in 2012.

UK researchers take us one step closer to quantum computing originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Manchesterquantumquantum computerquantum computingQuantumComputerQuantumComputingsciencescotlandspeedstudyuniversitySat, 21 Mar 2009 23:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists take first step in ceramic-based quantum computers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/30/scientists-take-first-step-in-ceramic-based-quantum-computers/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/30/scientists-take-first-step-in-ceramic-based-quantum-computers/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/30/scientists-take-first-step-in-ceramic-based-quantum-computers/#commentsOne of the many challenges facing quantum computing is finding a practical material from which to process the quantum information -- the material must not be so exotic such that it becomes too prohibitive and expensive to use for mass calculations. That's why a recently discovered hidden magnetic "quantum order" in ceramic has scientists in such a tizzy. By heating or doping the material with a variety of impurities, scientists from the London Center for Nanotechnology have found a way to propagate magnetic excitations over long chains of atoms in the otherwise magnetically disordered material. Armed then, with the ability to break the chains into independent sub-chains, each with it's own hidden order, scientists have taken the first step towards engineering spin-based quantum states from ceramics. Right, the quantum analogy to those good ol' 1 and 0 state changes used by today's not-so-super computers.

[Thanks, Scott S.]

Filed under:

Scientists take first step in ceramic-based quantum computers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceramicLondon Center for NanotechnologyLondonCenterForNanotechnologymageticquantumquantum computerquantum computingQuantumComputerQuantumComputingMon, 30 Jul 2007 08:42:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA backs quantum computing demonstration]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/11/nasa-backs-quantum-computing-demonstration/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/11/nasa-backs-quantum-computing-demonstration/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/11/nasa-backs-quantum-computing-demonstration/#commentsNASA has confirmed that it built a quantum computer under contract for Canadian startup company D-Wave Systems Inc. after D-Wave was accused of faking a recent demonstration to businesses and academia. During a demonstration last month, the company revealed that its 16 qubit (more qubits = more processes) quantum processor had been left back at the company's offices, and therefore the test would be show via an internet link. According to D-Wave CEO Ed Martin, "businesses aren't too fascinated about the details of quantum mechanics": unfortunately, a group of industry experts were interested, and they made their skepticism clear. The result is NASA's confirmation that it did in fact construct D-Wave's quantum processor design under contract; a confirmation that most people will be inclined to accept. The underlying technology shown in the demonstration was the use of a normal digital processor in conjunction with a quantum chip, which D-Wave hopes will enable commercial applications of quantum computing. D-Wave is planning to up its design from 16 qubits to 1,024 qubits by the end of 2008, a rather controversial aim for some that think practical quantum computing is still up to a decade away. There's gotta be something about quantum computing that puts scientists on edge: perhaps it's the platform's potential to make all current forms of encryption obsolete ...

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under:

NASA backs quantum computing demonstration originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CalculatingComputingQuantum computerQuantumComputerSun, 11 Mar 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[World's first "commercial" quantum computer solves Sudoku]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/14/worlds-first-commercial-quantum-computer-solves-sudoku/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/14/worlds-first-commercial-quantum-computer-solves-sudoku/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/14/worlds-first-commercial-quantum-computer-solves-sudoku/#comments
As expected, Canada's D-Wave Systems has announced "the world's first commercially viable quantum computer," and they seem to be pretty stoked about it. The achievement is notable, since they've managed to build a whole 16 qubit computer that actually does some simple computations, even if it's far less powerful than even the most basic of home computers. Qubits are quantum bits that can be in an "on," "off" or "both" state due to fuzzy physics at the atomic level, and up until now the best anyone had done was get three qubits together for computing. This 16-bit version can solve Sudoku, create a complicated seating plan and search for molecular structures, but quantum computers will need to be in the range of thousands of qubits to be able to solve puzzles -- such as encryption -- that current computers cannot. D-Wave is planning to have a 1,000 qubit version ready by the end of next year, but scientists in the field are skeptical. The adiabatic method used by D-Wave, which cools electronic circuits into a superconducting state, with the resulting qubits being slowly varied in a magnetic field, might not be able to keep its speed when on that large of a scale. "It probably won't work but it's not quixotic," says Seth Lloyd of MIT. "If it works then they can solve really hard problems and they'll be very much in demand," he says. But it's a long shot: "It's certainly not the kind of company I'd invest my money in." To raise awareness, D-Wave will be opening the computer up to computational problems over the internet after the results of the project are peer-reviewed. More pics after the break.

[Via Digg]

Continue reading World's first "commercial" quantum computer solves Sudoku

Filed under:

World's first "commercial" quantum computer solves Sudoku originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d-waved-wave systemsD-waveSystemsquantumquantum computerQuantumComputerqubitWed, 14 Feb 2007 14:09:00 EST