Topic: Hey Baby, your 1s' and 0's exist in a quantum state!

[Toasty0]

"One small step made on long road to realizing quantum computers



Terumitsu Otsu / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer

It's still a long way off, but a small step toward turning a piece of science fiction into reality was taken recently by researchers at NEC Corp. and the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.

Researchers of the joint project have succeeded in making a basic component for what one day might be the world's first quantum computer.

However, it's still too far in the future for computer geeks to get excited or for techno-phobes to get too worried. But it's encouraging that the researchers were able to develop two "quantum gates" which are the miniscule basic components of a "quantum disc"--equivalent to a computer chip.

Quantum computing, it is hoped, will allow calculations to be completed at a much faster rate than today's computers can, even supercomputers. "One example would be doing calculations to factorize big numbers," said NEC research fellow Tsai Jaw-Shen, at the company's laboratory in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. "If you have a 500-digit number, it would take the world's fastest supercomputer more than 10 million years to solve the problem. With quantum computing, it could be solved in several seconds."

The astonishing speed is made possible by looking at computing in a different way. Like today's computers, quantum computing is based on binary numbers--0 or 1--but quantum computing can produce a state where both digits exist in the same space at the same time, Tsai said.

It is the nature of quantum physics itself that allows this to be achieved. According to quantum theory, an ultrasmall space, such as that inside an atom, is governed by totally different physical laws. In our daily lives, everything is governed by the familiar laws of Newtonian physics. In that world, a particle is a particle and a wave is a wave. But in the world of quantum physics, an electron can be both a particle and a wave at the same time.

"It is the most counterintuitive point of quantum mechanics. We call it the coherent state or the superposition state. And it is also known as a Qubit (quantum bit)," Tsai said.

As a result, a quantum computer functions the same as having numerous computers working together, Tsai said.

However, it will be a long time before a functioning quantum computer will be manufactured, said Kazuo Nakamura, senior manager of the Quantum Information Technology Group at the laboratory.

"The important thing is that any computer can be made using two important components," he said. "The single Qubit was completed in 1999 and the two Qubit operation has been completed this year. But we have to integrate these two components. In that sense, we have only reached 10 percent (of what needs to be done to produce a quantum computer)."

Tsai said the quantum gate they produced can work only in extreme conditions--at a temperature of minus 273 C--because it requires superconductivity.

"We'll have to see if the temperature can be raised to a level where normal computers operate. There are so many technological breakthroughs that need to take place before we can create such a computer. I have no idea how long it will take," he said.

However, he thinks that quantum computing will have great benefits in the future. "I think there are many possibilities. We could calculate the properties of large quantum systems, such as proteins or molecules with an accuracy that is impossible with supercomputers. Problems concerning many different areas--biology, biochemistry, climate, the environment--could be solved," Tsai said.

But Nakamura cautioned there could also be a negative side to quantum computing in the realm of national security. "With quantum computers, it is possible to crack messages and codes. These computers could be dangerous if they fall into the hands of terrorists, for example. However, if we utilize quantum cryptography, we can protect these messages and codes even after quantum computers have been realized."
"
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20031209wo71.htm
 

[Rondo_GE]

I'm reading Timeline right now.  Vvvvery interesting....  

[Blyre]

Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
 

[Sirgod]

Quote:
I'm reading Timeline right now.  Vvvvery interesting....  

Heh, I just finished that last week, and Gave it my wife over the weekend.

Stephen

[S'Raek]

Quote:
Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
   

   

[Draco]

Quote:
Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
   

Just wait till the techno-phobes get a good wind of this, next thing you know capital hill will be crawling with people holding signs such as "Don't control my brain" or whatever other B.S. things people tend to come up with. Not that all concerns will be as such, but you know how people are.  

[Toasty0]

"One small step made on long road to realizing quantum computers



Terumitsu Otsu / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer

It's still a long way off, but a small step toward turning a piece of science fiction into reality was taken recently by researchers at NEC Corp. and the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.

Researchers of the joint project have succeeded in making a basic component for what one day might be the world's first quantum computer.

However, it's still too far in the future for computer geeks to get excited or for techno-phobes to get too worried. But it's encouraging that the researchers were able to develop two "quantum gates" which are the miniscule basic components of a "quantum disc"--equivalent to a computer chip.

Quantum computing, it is hoped, will allow calculations to be completed at a much faster rate than today's computers can, even supercomputers. "One example would be doing calculations to factorize big numbers," said NEC research fellow Tsai Jaw-Shen, at the company's laboratory in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. "If you have a 500-digit number, it would take the world's fastest supercomputer more than 10 million years to solve the problem. With quantum computing, it could be solved in several seconds."

The astonishing speed is made possible by looking at computing in a different way. Like today's computers, quantum computing is based on binary numbers--0 or 1--but quantum computing can produce a state where both digits exist in the same space at the same time, Tsai said.

It is the nature of quantum physics itself that allows this to be achieved. According to quantum theory, an ultrasmall space, such as that inside an atom, is governed by totally different physical laws. In our daily lives, everything is governed by the familiar laws of Newtonian physics. In that world, a particle is a particle and a wave is a wave. But in the world of quantum physics, an electron can be both a particle and a wave at the same time.

"It is the most counterintuitive point of quantum mechanics. We call it the coherent state or the superposition state. And it is also known as a Qubit (quantum bit)," Tsai said.

As a result, a quantum computer functions the same as having numerous computers working together, Tsai said.

However, it will be a long time before a functioning quantum computer will be manufactured, said Kazuo Nakamura, senior manager of the Quantum Information Technology Group at the laboratory.

"The important thing is that any computer can be made using two important components," he said. "The single Qubit was completed in 1999 and the two Qubit operation has been completed this year. But we have to integrate these two components. In that sense, we have only reached 10 percent (of what needs to be done to produce a quantum computer)."

Tsai said the quantum gate they produced can work only in extreme conditions--at a temperature of minus 273 C--because it requires superconductivity.

"We'll have to see if the temperature can be raised to a level where normal computers operate. There are so many technological breakthroughs that need to take place before we can create such a computer. I have no idea how long it will take," he said.

However, he thinks that quantum computing will have great benefits in the future. "I think there are many possibilities. We could calculate the properties of large quantum systems, such as proteins or molecules with an accuracy that is impossible with supercomputers. Problems concerning many different areas--biology, biochemistry, climate, the environment--could be solved," Tsai said.

But Nakamura cautioned there could also be a negative side to quantum computing in the realm of national security. "With quantum computers, it is possible to crack messages and codes. These computers could be dangerous if they fall into the hands of terrorists, for example. However, if we utilize quantum cryptography, we can protect these messages and codes even after quantum computers have been realized."
"
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20031209wo71.htm
 

[Rondo_GE]

I'm reading Timeline right now.  Vvvvery interesting....  

[Blyre]

Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
 

[Sirgod]

Quote:
I'm reading Timeline right now.  Vvvvery interesting....  

Heh, I just finished that last week, and Gave it my wife over the weekend.

Stephen

[S'Raek]

Quote:
Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
   

   

[Draco]

Quote:
Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
   

Just wait till the techno-phobes get a good wind of this, next thing you know capital hill will be crawling with people holding signs such as "Don't control my brain" or whatever other B.S. things people tend to come up with. Not that all concerns will be as such, but you know how people are.  

[Toasty0]

"One small step made on long road to realizing quantum computers



Terumitsu Otsu / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer

It's still a long way off, but a small step toward turning a piece of science fiction into reality was taken recently by researchers at NEC Corp. and the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.

Researchers of the joint project have succeeded in making a basic component for what one day might be the world's first quantum computer.

However, it's still too far in the future for computer geeks to get excited or for techno-phobes to get too worried. But it's encouraging that the researchers were able to develop two "quantum gates" which are the miniscule basic components of a "quantum disc"--equivalent to a computer chip.

Quantum computing, it is hoped, will allow calculations to be completed at a much faster rate than today's computers can, even supercomputers. "One example would be doing calculations to factorize big numbers," said NEC research fellow Tsai Jaw-Shen, at the company's laboratory in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. "If you have a 500-digit number, it would take the world's fastest supercomputer more than 10 million years to solve the problem. With quantum computing, it could be solved in several seconds."

The astonishing speed is made possible by looking at computing in a different way. Like today's computers, quantum computing is based on binary numbers--0 or 1--but quantum computing can produce a state where both digits exist in the same space at the same time, Tsai said.

It is the nature of quantum physics itself that allows this to be achieved. According to quantum theory, an ultrasmall space, such as that inside an atom, is governed by totally different physical laws. In our daily lives, everything is governed by the familiar laws of Newtonian physics. In that world, a particle is a particle and a wave is a wave. But in the world of quantum physics, an electron can be both a particle and a wave at the same time.

"It is the most counterintuitive point of quantum mechanics. We call it the coherent state or the superposition state. And it is also known as a Qubit (quantum bit)," Tsai said.

As a result, a quantum computer functions the same as having numerous computers working together, Tsai said.

However, it will be a long time before a functioning quantum computer will be manufactured, said Kazuo Nakamura, senior manager of the Quantum Information Technology Group at the laboratory.

"The important thing is that any computer can be made using two important components," he said. "The single Qubit was completed in 1999 and the two Qubit operation has been completed this year. But we have to integrate these two components. In that sense, we have only reached 10 percent (of what needs to be done to produce a quantum computer)."

Tsai said the quantum gate they produced can work only in extreme conditions--at a temperature of minus 273 C--because it requires superconductivity.

"We'll have to see if the temperature can be raised to a level where normal computers operate. There are so many technological breakthroughs that need to take place before we can create such a computer. I have no idea how long it will take," he said.

However, he thinks that quantum computing will have great benefits in the future. "I think there are many possibilities. We could calculate the properties of large quantum systems, such as proteins or molecules with an accuracy that is impossible with supercomputers. Problems concerning many different areas--biology, biochemistry, climate, the environment--could be solved," Tsai said.

But Nakamura cautioned there could also be a negative side to quantum computing in the realm of national security. "With quantum computers, it is possible to crack messages and codes. These computers could be dangerous if they fall into the hands of terrorists, for example. However, if we utilize quantum cryptography, we can protect these messages and codes even after quantum computers have been realized."
"
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20031209wo71.htm
 

[Rondo_GE]

I'm reading Timeline right now.  Vvvvery interesting....  

[Blyre]

Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
 

[Sirgod]

Quote:
I'm reading Timeline right now.  Vvvvery interesting....  

Heh, I just finished that last week, and Gave it my wife over the weekend.

Stephen

[S'Raek]

Quote:
Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
   

   

[Draco]

Quote:
Sure it's fast, but can it play games?

Wallace
   

Just wait till the techno-phobes get a good wind of this, next thing you know capital hill will be crawling with people holding signs such as "Don't control my brain" or whatever other B.S. things people tend to come up with. Not that all concerns will be as such, but you know how people are.