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Discovery of a "Flat" Atom Hailed as Quantum Computing Breakthrough

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the breakthroughs-by-mistake dept.

msw writes to tell us that nanoelectronics researchers have discovered a new molecule that could act as a state-manipulable atom due to its unique shape and properties. "Imagine a tiny arsenic atom embedded in a tiny strip of silicon atoms. An electric current is applied. Something strange arises on the surface -- an exotic molecule. On one end is the spherical submerged arsenic atom; on the other end is an 'artificial' flat atom, seemingly 2D, created as an artifact. The pair form an exotic molecule, which has a shared electron, which can be manipulated to be at either end, or in an intermediate quantum state."

6 of 205 comments (clear)

  1. Quantum State by Pictish+Prince · · Score: 5, Informative

    Don't you mean indeterminate quantum state? The electron can't be in an intermediate state since there are only two possible states.

    --
    Only his tendency toward a dazed stupor prevented him from screaming aloud.
    1. Re:Quantum State by Gat0r30y · · Score: 4, Informative

      qubits have 3 possible states 1 0 and indeterminate. Thus it is a breakthrough in quantum computing and not just regular computing. The indeterminate state is defined as a superposition of the two other states. And indeed it is a real, though not particularly well defined state for the electron to be in.

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      Prediction: The real iPhone killer is going to be sex robots from Japan. Think about it.
    2. Re:Quantum State by sfazzio · · Score: 4, Informative

      Your terminology is slightly off. Qubits can have an infinite number of possible states. 0 and 1 are called the basis. Also, a qubit is considered to be in a "pure state", not only when it's in a basis state, but also if it is in a superposition of the bases. A mixed state is something completely different. It occurs when we don't know exactly what pure state, so the state is represented by the sum of the possible pure states weighted by the probability of the qubit being in that state. http://www.quantiki.org/wiki/index.php/Mixed_state

  2. Re:Sure by geekwithsoul · · Score: 5, Informative

    "typical monitor" when this was written was a CRT. I'd hardly call a CRT a "typical" purchase for anyone anymore. I got rid of my last one four years ago, and I'm not even sure I know anyone who still has one. Hell, most non-gamers I know don't even own a desktop PC. I'm not saying there aren't still hazardous materials in today's PC, I'm just saying its a hell of a lot less than "five to eight pounds."

  3. Re:The article is exiting gibberish by mea37 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Imagine that if you want, but it isn't how it works.

    A quantum bit can actually be in many different states; any weighted superposition of the 0 state and the 1 state, in fact. But you can't look at it and say "ah, right now it's in an indeterminate state"; when you read it, it collapses to either the 0 state or the 1 state. Its state prior to observation only determines the odds that you'll see the 0 state vs. the 1 state when you read it; you can only read it as being in one or the other.

  4. Re:Sure by tattood · · Score: 4, Informative

    You are correct. Cyanide smells like Almonds. Arsenic, when heated, smells like Garlic. At least, according to wikipedia...

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    WTB [sig], PST!!!