New Advance In Quantum Dot Technology

sacremon writes: "An article in EETimes describes research at the University of Nebraska on the development of an improved method for the generation of quantum dots. The researchers invoke the infamous 'five years away from having a small-scale quantum computer in the lab,' but the technique looks promising, particularly for generating a large array of quantum dots."

Comments

Re:Collapse of Civilization?

[e7]

Quantum money? Is that like, the more accurately you know how fast you're spending it, the less accurately you can know how much you have left?

Total Bullshit! - Count #2 (No interconnects)

[ka9dgx]

"The patent covers an inexpensive construction method for vast arrays of quantum dots, involving an easy-to-perform electrochemical process on an aluminum substrate. Quantum dots are described as "spontaneously" forming atop the aluminum substrate in a regular array suitable for processing information. "

So what we really have here is a process that just "spontaneously" happens to make a pattern that looks good for storing bits. This is not a process for putting a quantum dot at location X. Stand alone quantum dots certainly have their uses, such as laser diodes, but if there are no interconnects, it's not going to be a computing device.

In order for this to be useful, you have to be able to put a quantum dot where you want it, and be able to get data into and out of it. You also have to be able to do this and to get at least 1% yield for the entire die, in production quantities. This is not the ballpark this research is headed for.

Slashdot Poll Idea

[Glowing Fish]

what do you believe you will actually use in the next five years:

• A quantum computer
• a flexible CD
• a one handed keyboard
• Mouse marrows to grow brain cells
• Any of Jon Katz's visionary political or social ideas
• legos to build a 40 foot tall replication deathstar
• A stable version of Windows

Okay, that last one was a little too farfetched... but I do declare Slashdot, you have the vapors!

Quantum Comps replacing binary computers

[the_alkaloid_w_kick]

Don't quite throw out that "old" binary computer yet - there are certain data types that fit quantum computers, and others that don't. Since QCs work differently, binaries still kick butt in certain areas. If you really want the skinny, try this url - http://www.newscientist.com/nsplus/insight/quantum /genious.html. It's very idiot-friendly (I've seen some of these fp's).
Another bit - I was reading the NSA website today, and noticing that they state something about "strategically limiting certain key technologies" in the interests of nat'l security. I have also noticed a lot of recent quantum related breakthroughs (quantum decoherence-free states, quantum cryptography, and easy methods of making entangled states). Not to be paranoid, but could this be a NSA release of technology? Who knows? :) Just a random thought. Must be getting tired.

Matt

How it all works...

[intmainvoid]

Information about how quantum computers work, from a competing team also hoping to build a quantum computer, is here,

Re:Collapse of Civilization?

[GMontag451]

Simple...
while (!confessed) {
beat prime number over the head
tell prime number its partner already confessed
offer prime number a shorter sentence if it
confesses
// add other techniques here as you see fit
}

Imagine the possibilities!

[quantax]

This has all probably been said before:

1. Distributed.net: Crack the encryption before you can actually hit the key

2. 3D: Real time rendering in the palm of your hand.

The power of this technology is friggen sick. I hope we put it to a good use, like porn hosting... You can never get enough porn. No such thing as too much porn. Usually.

Theory.

[Matt2000]

I've been reading with interest for some time now the developments in Quantum computing, and it seems that researchers are now faced more with engineering problems rather than theoretical ones. No one is really questioning the computing abilities of quantum devices in theory, we're just waiting to see how they could be built.

My problem is then with the field of computer science in general and why there isn't much computational theory being done with quantum devices in mind. Coming from a comp. sci. theoretical backgground most of the heads in the field are either ignoring quantum computing or scoffing at it, while keeping their heads stuck in the P=NP sand and hoping it will all go away.

Does anyone out there have any info, preferrably links, to theoretical work going on with regard to quantum devices?

WOW!

[cluening]

The University of Nebraska really does do research, and interesting stuff at that! All this time I have been going here I thought we were just a front for the football team...

I guess I can feel proud now. :)

No quantum computers from this design

[KIngo]

I've been working quite a lot on semiconductor quantum dots and let me tell you: Nobody's ever going to make a quantum computer from self-assembled quantum dots. There's a whole lot of reasons why this is highly likely but the primary problem is: you cannot easily address them. There is currently no other way to read and write a quantum dot but by placing a SNOM (scanning near field optical microscope) right above it. And SNOM tips are still far to large to really select a single quantum dot. And by the way, after a few milliseconds, the excited state usually recombines due to decoherence, so you would need to constantly refresh all quantum dots every few milliseconds by a very elaborate mechanical process. Finally, with so much decoherence, it's not really a quantum computer anymore, but just a very expensive memory chip.

There are promising designs of quantum computers, but they are not based on a semiconductor design. My personal opinion is that quantum computers will be first be realized in ultra-cold systems such as linear ion-chains. Any design that does not include the concept of a data bus is IMHO worthless.

To conclude, self-assembled quantum dots as described in the article do have their place: in optical devices such as semiconductor lasers, infrared sensors and highly specialized ultra-accurate gauge devices.

Just my 2 nm ...

Re:Collapse of Civilization?

[Fervent]

The Code Book has a great section about quantum cryptography for "normal people". It helps to get the basics down (like quantum money and breakdown of prime numbers using quantum computing) before tackling the more complicated things like actually creating a quantum encryption scheme. Highly recommended.