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Baby Steps Toward Quantum Computers
Mz6 writes "In a step toward making ultra-powerful computers, scientists have transferred physical characteristics between atoms by using a phenomenon called entanglement, which Einstein derided as 'spooky action at a distance' before experiments showed it was real. Such 'quantum teleportation' of characteristics had been demonstrated before between beams of light. Teleportation between atoms could someday lie at the heart of powerful quantum computers, which are probably at least a decade away from development. Researchers using lab techniques can create a weird relationship between pairs of tiny particles. After that, the fate of one particle instantly affects the other; if one particle is made to take on a certain set of properties, the other immediately takes on identical or opposite properties, no matter how far away it is and without any apparent physical connection to the first particle." Reader starannihilator adds: "Physics Web provides a good graphic summary of the phenomenon, as well as a good technical article."
Alice, instantaneously transfers information about the quantum state of a particle to a receiver called Bob. The uncertainty principle means that Alice cannot know the exact state of her particle. However, another feature of quantum mechanics called "entanglement" means that she can teleport the state to Bob.
Alice: Bob, now that our qubits are entangled, I don't know if mine's spin up down.
Bob: How 'bout I observe yours for you. How about there?
Alice: Nope.
Bob: Here?
Alice: Closer to this side of the gaussian, Bobby.
Bob: How about here?
Alice: OOOOOHHH! You collapsed my wave function DeBroglie!
Bob: Your qubit is now spin up, in case you were wondering... who's DeBroglie?
Only the five richest kings of Europe will be able to afford them.