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Quantum Computer Works Better Shut Off
waimate writes "A New Scientist article relates how its possible to get answers from a quantum computer even when your program isn't running." From the article: "With the right set-up, the theory suggested, the computer would sometimes get an answer out of the computer even though the program did not run. And now researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have improved on the original design and built a non-running quantum computer that really works."
Actually, jokes aside, this IS an interesting effect although I disagree with their use of the word "Off". The computer is powered up. But they are starving it of "normal" input.
To paraphrase: They feed the computer a signal (photon) but then intercept the signal before it can make it into computer. If light was purely particle, that would be the end of the story. However light is also wave/quantum thingy. Somehow, over several runs, enough of the wave/quantum thingy made it into the computer to make process the input.
If light is a wave, maybe they had a timing issue and enough of the wave made it into the computer.
If light is a quantum thingy, maybe they have discovered a way to imprint space-time (ether?) with the quantum state information of a removed object. If it IS this latter effect, maybe there is hope for homeopathy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy.
Homeopaths claim to dilute their active ingredients to the point of being non-existant http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy#The_.22The ory_of_Infinitesimals.22 and claim that, even when diluted THIS much, the solvent retains the "nature" of the active ingredient.
The "Real World" IS just a big quantum computer.... Who knows?
I am NOT a proponent of homeopathy -- it just bears a similarity to the experiment above.
My kingdom for a mod point.
I believe I need to invest in a quantum penis. I have been severely impotent for several decades now, but with a quantum cock I could fuck my wife with my perpetually flaccid boner and she would still have an orgasm!
Cyric Zndovzny at your service.