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The Limits of Quantum Computing

Posted by kdawson on from the floor-wax-and-dessert-topping dept.

The Narrative Fallacy writes "Scott Aaronson has posted a draft of his article from this month's Scientific American on the limitations of quantum computers (PDF) discussing the question: Will quantum computers let us transcend the human condition and become as powerful as gods, or are they a physical absurdity destined to be exposed as the twenty-first century's perpetual-motion machine? Aaronson says that while a quantum computer could quickly factor large numbers, and thereby break most of the cryptographic codes used on the Internet today, there's reason to think that not even a quantum computer could solve the crucial class of NP-complete problems efficiently. Aaronson contends that any method for solving NP-complete problems in polynomial time may violate the laws of physics and that this may be a fundamental limitation on technology no different than the second law of thermodynamics or the impossibility of faster-than-light communication."

13 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. Re:faster than light first post! by IBBoard · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think you need a new quantum computer - you seem to have been beaten to that first post you claim.

  2. Re:Well...... by Thanshin · · Score: 5, Funny

    It can fix the NP problem.... but u cant look into the PC case or else its ruined. I blamed the dead cat I found inside.
  3. Re:As usual by Yetihehe · · Score: 4, Funny

    The truth is a superposition of this two, so thruth is quantum. So could quantum computer uncover the truth? A: Maybe.

    --
    Extreme Programming - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Developers
  4. Re:Okay Then. by rucs_hack · · Score: 4, Funny

    We don't need Quantum computing for a Star Trek futre.

    We need a way to disregard or at least completely reinterpret the laws of physics, and do without money, and all get on, and find entire worlds whose populations all conform to some stereotype.

    And are green.

  5. Re:Seems to me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    there is No Such Agency that can do this yet Are you sure?
  6. Re:Well...... by DigitAl56K · · Score: 1, Funny

    I blamed the dead cat I found inside. Schrödinger's cat, eh?

    Pics or it didn't happen! .. maybe!
  7. Re:faster than light first post! by Brian+Gordon · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just those pesky relativisic effects.

  8. Re:Okay Then. by Dutch_Cap · · Score: 3, Funny

    Luckily, though, tight spandex is a reality today!

  9. Re:The last question... by z0idberg · · Score: 5, Funny

    The obvious question would then be, that if all existence is cyclical, how many times has it been reset? And, what kicked it off to begin with?

    I don't think there is sufficient data to give a meaningful answer to these questions.
  10. Re:Well...... by Doug+Neal · · Score: 1, Funny

    I blamed the dead cat I found inside. Schrödinger's cat, eh?

    Pics or it didn't happen! .. maybe! Schrödinger's lolcat?
  11. Best metaphor ever by douglips · · Score: 4, Funny
    From TFA:

    By the
    time we reach 100 letters, there are already more possibilities than there are atoms in a
    vat of 26^100 atoms.
    Wow. Some less creative writers might say "there are more possibilities than there are atoms in the observable universe" or "more possibilities than there are protons in the known universe" or some other colorful metaphor. He goes straight for the "more possibilities than there are possibilities in a vat of 26^100 possibilities". Pure genius.
    --
    My amazing wife - Artist, Author, Philosopher - Laurie M
  12. Re:Well...... by Oktober+Sunset · · Score: 2, Funny

    Untill he posts a reply, the cat both exists and doesn't exist at the same time.

    --
    What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
  13. Re:Well...... by Malevolyn · · Score: 2, Funny

    Unless the post was from a computer, which may or may not exist, or may both exist and not exist at the same time, of which he would be an AI construct inside that brings up a whole new level of abstractness that... Oh dear, I've gone cross-eyed.

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