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Significant Advance in Quantum Computing

Posted by Zonk on from the they-put-the-q-in-quantum dept.

wcitech writes "Apparently scientists have been able to create circuitry that mimics the behavior of atom pairs by using superconductors." From the article: "The work, reported in the Feb. 25 issue of the journal Science, demonstrates that it is possible to measure the quantum properties of two interconnected artificial atoms at virtually the same time. Until now, superconducting qubits--quantum counterparts of the 1s and 0s used in today's computers--have been measured one at a time to avoid unwanted effects on neighboring qubits." The second Quantum computing revelation this month, in fact.

10 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Phew by qw0ntum · · Score: 5, Funny

    Before I go worrying about quantum computers, I need to get my own working. But in a quantum world, I guess they are working AND messed up at the same time.

    --
    'Every story, if continued long enough, ends in death.' --Ernest Hemingway
    1. Re:Phew by Pax00 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Before I go worrying about quantum computers, I need to get my own working. But in a quantum world, I guess they are working AND messed up at the same time.

      Broken and working at the same time.. how is that different than running windows?

  2. And the winner is... by dfn5 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Number 3 in a quantum finish

    No fair! You changed the outcome by measuring it!

    --
    -- Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
  3. applicable quote by Triumph+The+Insult+C · · Score: 5, Funny

    "So, computers. I hear they basically break down to a bunch of ones and zeroes. I don't know how that means I can see naked women on my screen, but God bless you people"

    --
    vodka, straight up, thank you!
  4. Related Quantum News: The Slashdot Effect by Nova+Express · · Score: 4, Funny
    Scientists also announced that they had discovered a principle similar to Von Neuman's Catastrophe, namely The Slashdot Effect. This effect makes it impossible to both link to the story from Slashdot and read the story thus linked, as the very act of linking it renders the story impossible to read. To isolate these quantum fluctuations from the greater Slashdot Effect, scientists have suggested calling this specific quantum problem Commander Taco's Catastrophe...

    --
    Lawrence Person (lawrencepersonh@gmailh.com (remove all "h"s to mail)

    http://www.lawrenceperson.com/

  5. Re:Advances? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Fool, It's both simultaneously...

  6. Re:I'm not a quantum engineer by bman08 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, and NSA would be able to look at your porn. The result would be you spying on spys spying on your own porn. I think I just developed quantum masturbation... I'm going to go clear some shelf space for my Nobel.

  7. What's the point? by jholzer · · Score: 3, Funny

    From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computer#Bits _vs_qubits
    "This dramatic advantage of quantum computers is currently known to exist for only those three problems: factoring, discrete log, and quantum physics simulations."

    I don't see Quake 10 on the list, so what's the point?

  8. I had a French Arabic math prof... by MAdMaxOr · · Score: 2, Funny

    who said "rectun" for rectangle, and "enitrate" for integrate, etc.

    He tried to say:
    "To integrate, you use small rectangles instead of large rectangles in your Riemann sum because they work better."

    but ended up sounding like:
    "To penetrate, you use small rectums instead of big rectums when your wiener's up because they work better."

    True story

  9. Re:Quantum computing isn't the holy grail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    You don't get it. This is Slashdot. The kids here watch a lot of the Sci-Fi Channel and anime DVDs. While generally agnostic or atheist in matters of mainstream religion, the idea of quantum computing ties together all the accumulated nonsense which fills their heads. Much like the "grace" of conventional religion, "quantum computing" provides the "magic potion" which can justify their belief in hobbits, wookies, and so on -- "Well if quantum computing can exist maybe that other stuff is true too . . ."

    Remember, the average Slashdot reader doesn't have a degree in physics or electrical engineering. They are typically dropouts from junior college CS programs. If they are lucky enough, they drift into a job administering Windows machines at a non-profit organization. Chatting about "quantum computing" lifts their spirits, however briefly, and distracts them from their humdrum lives.