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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."

7 of 205 comments (clear)

  1. Quick !! Couple the quantum inverters !!! by unity100 · · Score: 5, Funny

    and unleash them on the flux capacitor !!! we are getting into quantum artifact business.

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    Read radical news here
  2. 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.

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    Only his tendency toward a dazed stupor prevented him from screaming aloud.
    1. Re:Quantum State by Romancer · · Score: 5, Funny


      He meant to say interdeterminatable.

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      ) Human Kind Vs Human Creation
      ) It'd be interesting to see how many humans would survive to serve us.
    2. Re:Quantum State by sfazzio · · Score: 5, Insightful

      qubits have 3 possible states 1 0 and indeterminate.

      Not true! Qubits have an infinite number of possible states. Imagine that your classical bit is represented as either an arrow pointing up for 1 and an arrow pointing down as -1. A quantum bit is like an arrow that can be pointed in the up direction, the down direction, or any other direction (it basically constrained to the surface of a sphere).

  3. Not sure, but sounds tasty by azzuth · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next time you think about putting your new quantum motherboard in your mouth think again.

  4. "Tiny Arsenic Atom" ?? by anandamide · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is there a big variety I'm unaware of?

  5. 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."