Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Defeating Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the schrodinger's-cat-is-next dept.

eldavojohn writes "As we strive closer and closer to quantum computing, physics may need to be improved. A paper released in Nature Physics suggests that the limit defined by Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle can be beaten with quantum memory. From the article, 'The cadre of scientists behind the current paper realized that, by using the process of entanglement, it would be possible to essentially use two particles to figure out the complete state of one. They might even be able to measure incompatible variables like position and momentum. The measurements might not be perfectly precise, but the process could allow them to beat the limit of the uncertainty principle.' Will we find out that Heisenberg was shortsighted in limiting the power of quantum physics or will the scientists be surprised to find that such a theoretical scenario — once conducted — performs unexpectedly in Heisenberg's favor?"

21 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. 1st and second post :-) by Stooshie · · Score: 5, Funny

    1st and second post simoultaneously :-)

    --
    America, Home of the Brave. ... .and the Squaw.
    1. Re:1st and second post :-) by Arancaytar · · Score: 5, Funny

      I was able to observe your post, but not how fast you typed it. The limit remains unbroken, I guess.

    2. Re:1st and second post :-) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      This post is now diamonds.

    3. Re:1st and second post :-) by actionbastard · · Score: 4, Funny

      We have yet to hear from Schrödinger's cat on this.

      --
      Sig this!
    4. Re:1st and second post :-) by Divide+By+Zero · · Score: 4, Funny

      Its response is in your inbox, and until you open it, the Cat both approves and disapproves of this development.

      --
      Dare to Hope. Prepare to be Disappointed.
    5. Re:1st and second post :-) by Tubal-Cain · · Score: 5, Funny

      Report just in: It wants and does not want a cheeseburger.

    6. Re:1st and second post :-) by mseidl · · Score: 2, Funny

      What does this mean for my cat? Is it dead, alive or a perl programmer?

    7. Re:1st and second post :-) by Kilrah_il · · Score: 2, Funny

      The other day I was driving my car and a cop pulled me over.
      "Do you know how fast you were driving?" asked the cop.
      "No, but I know exactly where I am!"

      --
      Whenever in an argument, remember this.
  2. Sounds as if... by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 4, Funny

    the uncertainty principle is in doubt.

    --
    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    1. Re:Sounds as if... by shikaisi · · Score: 5, Funny

      well, it is and it isn't.

      --
      No left turn unstoned.
    2. Re:Sounds as if... by MadKeithV · · Score: 4, Funny

      We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!

  3. So was Heisenberg right or wrong? by Gothmolly · · Score: 2, Funny

    Who knows? Maybe both?

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    1. Re:So was Heisenberg right or wrong? by NevarMore · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's all I can say without seeing some math.

      2+2=5. There you've seen some math, now please continue.

    2. Re:So was Heisenberg right or wrong? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      That's all I can say without seeing some math.

      2+2=5. There you've seen some math, now please continue.

      2+2=5. That's not math; that's accounting.

  4. Related Funny On Top Gear Last Night by Richard_at_work · · Score: 5, Funny

    They demoed the Ferrari 458, and one of the "features" that Jeremy Clarkson highlighted was that the dash mounted display could show you either the speedo or the GPS Sat Nav, but not at the same time - my immediate thought was "Heh, someone at Ferrari has a sense of humour and knows what the Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle is." :)

    1. Re:Related Funny On Top Gear Last Night by Chih · · Score: 2, Funny

      They demoed the Ferrari 458, and one of the "features" that Jeremy Clarkson highlighted was that the dash mounted display could show you either the speedo or the GPS Sat Nav, but not at the same time - my immediate thought was "Heh, someone at Ferrari has a sense of humour and knows what the Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle is." :)

      OH GOD NO please don't show me the speedo!

      --
      For best results, avoid doing stupid things.
  5. Heisenberg vs Schrödinger death match! by thomasdz · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well, I let that darn Schrödinger guy cat-sit while I'm on vacation and everytime I call him, he refuses to tell me if "mittens" is dead or alive. And when I call Heisenberg, all he says is that my cat is really fat, not if it's moving. Hopefully this new discovery will help all of us pet owners who let their neighborhood physicists cat-sit.

    --
    Karma: Excellent. 15 moderator points expire sometime.
    1. Re:Heisenberg vs Schrödinger death match! by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 3, Funny

      It's just like Thunderdome - except two man enter, one man may or may not leave.

  6. Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle? by lanceran · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is that the one where you don't know whether or not your will get shot for killing meth dealers that work for your boss or something?

  7. Re:Yay! Transporters for all! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now you know know where the dimension full of evil people with goatees comes from.

  8. Re:Yay! Transporters for all! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    New Jersey?