Quantum Computers by next Tuesday

[drachefly]

I think they might become more widespread, and here's why:

We've been focusing on QC's ability to tackle NP-complete problems. I may have this term wrong, but it's the set of problems where answers are easy to check (i.e. polynomial time), but hard to find (i.e. exponential time). This is as opposed to NP problems, which are hard no matter how you cut it.

But QC could be used to great effect for many less impressive tasks:
The ubiquitous array sort can be done in O(N) time instead of O(N logN), for example.
And of course the ability to solve constraints like the problem they used as their demo would be able to greatly speed the handling of common tasks like, oh, figuring out which widget is responsible for drawing any given pixel on a screen, or tracking back to figure out where to send the mouse click.

Of course, to do any of that we'd need to get one not mounted in a cryo-tank.

;)

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Before anyone gets too excited, read the comments in the blog:

http://dwave.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/q ... ouncement/

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

There are many ways to set up a qubit and it need not always involve cryogenics. I am currently working as an undergrad under a Professor that specialises in ion trapping which is one of 3 possible ways to approach this. There is another method involving NMR where the spin states (essentially Spin up and Spin Down) are used to be the qubits required. Other approaches include the use of MOTs etc. and don't really need cryogenics although low temperatures are nice. Cooling an atom does not need cryogenics but can be done with laser cooling.

[Jaepheth]

2. Silicon's days are numbered, dummkopf. Or do you think we can bend the laws of physics indefinitely by making finer and finer transistors despite the already mounting task in getting to 45 nm gaps? All you can do at that point is start adding more cores and chips, which is essentially the limit of silicon. The industry needs new routes now, so they can be ready for when the real stagnation comes. These potential future markets may or may not include quantum computing elements, though photonic is looking the most likely right now.

Weren't those Apollo grown diamonds going to be able to be made into processors far superior to silicon once they found a good manufacturing method?

[K. A. Pital]

As I understand the fundamental problem with quantum computers, that is, their limited applicability to a certain range of tasks connected with probability calculations? This new technology, as of now, isn't a competitor to the existing computers, it will be put to solve special tasks that current technology cannot solve due to principally different operation methods.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

As I understand the fundamental problem with quantum computers, that is, their limited applicability to a certain range of tasks connected with probability calculations? This new technology, as of now, isn't a competitor to the existing computers, it will be put to solve special tasks that current technology cannot solve due to principally different operation methods.

Feynmann's original idea for a Quantum computer was to simulate Quantum processes he thought that only a Quantum Computer could do an accurate job.

As it is, I foresee a hybrid computer with a conventional computer controlling a Quantum Computer which will perform the required calculations. The equipment in the Quantum Computer will need some external controls to be sure.

To be certain, at the very minimum, the technologies used to developed the Quantum Computer will lead to a new generation of storage technologies at the minimum.

[drachefly]

As I understand the fundamental problem with quantum computers, that is, their limited applicability to a certain range of tasks connected with probability calculations?

Not really, no.