Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Two-Photon Walk a Giant Leap For Quantum Computing

Posted by timothy on from the stochastically-awesome dept.

ElectricSteve writes "Research conducted at the University of Bristol means a number of quantum computing algorithms may soon be able to execute calculations of a complexity far beyond what today's computers allow us to do. The breakthrough involves the use of a specially designed optical chip to perform what's known as a 'quantum walk' with two particles ... and it suggests the era of quantum computing may be approaching faster than the scientific establishment had predicted. A random walk – a mathematical concept with useful applications in computer science – is the trajectory of an object taking successive steps in a random direction, be it over a line (with only two possible directions) or over a multi-dimensional space. A quantum walk is the same concept, but translated to the world of quantum computing, a field in which randomness plays a central role. Quantum walks form an essential part of many of the algorithms that make this new kind of computation so promising, including search algorithms that will perform exponentially faster than the ones we use today."

11 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. Two-Photons Walk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    into a bar... wait... where am I?

    1. Re: Two-Photons Walk by marcosdumay · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just open your eyes, and see where you are. After seeing it you are not going to be anywhere else, but before looking, I can't really tell you.

      --
      Rethinking email
  2. "Quantum Walk" by countertrolling · · Score: 4, Funny

    Here's how it looks under a microscope

    --
    For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
  3. Re:I just want to know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Screw immersive gaming. How is this going to help me watch porn in the interweb.

  4. Re:does this mean by transwarp · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, each of you both are and are not trolls. :)

  5. Re:does this mean by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    No, I'm the troll.

    And so's my wife.

  6. Padding Resume. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Seams like it about time to start putting 5 years of real world quantum programming experence on the old resume.

  7. Re:does this mean by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft is coming out with Windows Quantum Edition. It only BSOD's when you are observing it; and is in an undetermined state when you are not. How is that different from regular Windows you ask? Well......um...

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  8. Re:does this mean by The_mad_linguist · · Score: 1, Funny

    50% more uptime!

  9. Two photons walk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Two photons walk into a bar, orders a round of IPA and asks "How much do we owe?"
    The barkeep says "For you? No charge."

    1. Re:Two photons walk by Muad'Dave · · Score: 2, Funny

      Then they walk into a church and are turned away by the priest. He says, "No mass for you."

      --
      Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.