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New Quantum Computing Record Set By Recycled Photons
CelestialScience writes "A recycling technique has enabled a quantum computer to carry out a quantum calculation known as Shor's algorithm on a larger number than ever before. The benchmark algorithm exploits quantum mechanics to simplify the factorization of numbers into their prime components — a hard task for classical computers when the numbers get large. Until now, the largest number factorized using Shor's algorithm was 15. Now Anthony Laing at the University of Bristol, UK and colleagues report in Nature Photonics that they used a recycled photon to factorize 21 — still far too small and trivial to spook cryptographers, who rely on the difficulty of factorizing large numbers for their widely-used techniques. But a record nonetheless."
7*3. Nailed it!
Seen this before.
Are photons that expensive that they need to be recycled? I can understand aluminum cans, but photons are taking it a bit far, I think.
If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
Even if it were more advanced now, it still wouldn't be much of a danger to cryptography.
There are enough encryption algorithms where quantum computing is not a danger.
Sure, algos using the dlog or factorisation problem would fall instantly, but something like McEliece would finally thrive.
the number 35 is standing out back with a tire iron and would like to have a word with you....