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An Extra-Large Nanocage Molecule For Quantum Computing

Posted by timothy on from the gimme-a-jumbo-mini-macro-nano-extra-large-and-supersize-it dept.

JMarshall writes: Researchers have built a molecular nanocage 8 nm across that represents a step toward quantum computing. It is difficult to make uniform nanoparticles more than 4 nm across, but new work solves this problem. Researchers made eight-membered metal rings from chromium and nickel that can act like a qubits in quantum computing. More connected rings means greater quantum computing capacity, so the team worked to combine many rings into one molecule. They managed to pull 24 rings together into an 8-nm sphere, secured by palladium ions at the core. The molecule had a surprisingly good phase memory, an indication of the molecule's quantum computing potential. The researchers say building a molecule with 70-100 rings would allow them to do "some serious stuff" in quantum computing.

22 comments

  1. build a hollow molecule big enough by rubycodez · · Score: 2

    and you have a General Products Hull

    1. Re:build a hollow molecule big enough by NEDHead · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but watch out for the anti matter

    2. Re: build a hollow molecule big enough by Type44Q · · Score: 1
      Thought for a second that you were referring to the hull of a General Systems Vehicle (which could well be monomolecular in nature, but I'm afraid we can't ask The Designer Himself until the Next Iteration), I had to search for the term... and upon doing so, came up with a vague recollection (and please correct me if I'm wrong) of two-headed aliens whose spaceships' hulls are entirely transparent to radiation (and thus must impart protection via time dilation)...

      Indeed, with all due respect to Niven nothwithstanding (did i just successfully coin a composite idiom?), I suspect his developing brain may may have received less essential fatty acids and more lysergic acid [diethylamide] than that of Banks... :p

    3. Re: build a hollow molecule big enough by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 1

      came up with a vague recollection (and please correct me if I'm wrong) of two-headed aliens whose spaceships' hulls are entirely transparent to radiation (and thus must impart protection via time dilation)...

      No, General Products hulls were NOT entirely transparent to radiation. Just to radiation in the visible spectrum....

      --

      "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
    4. Re: build a hollow molecule big enough by Required+Snark · · Score: 1
      General Products spaceship hulls were (almost) impervious to anything:

      A General Products hull is "an artificially-generated giant molecule, with the inter-atomic bonds artificially strengthened", causing the hull to resist "any kind of impact, and heat in the hundreds of thousands of degrees" (from Flatlander). In Fleet of Worlds, the characters learn that the bonds of the giant molecule are "artificially strengthened" by a small power plant in the hull. By aiming a very powerful laser at it (since GP hulls are transparent to visible light), one can destroy the power plant, and destroy the hull. Gravity attracts the hull and its contents normally, but not even close approach to the event horizon of a black hole can damage the hull. However, tidal stress will kill anything outside the ship's center of mass (from Neutron Star), and the hull probably could not survive entering a black hole's singularity. Furthermore, a General Products hull can be destroyed by antimatter. Hyperdrive affects General Products hulls, since it is used by the ships to travel. From the text of stories involving stasis boxes, it is implied that the "hyperwave" pulses used for probing for them are not reflected by General Products hulls, though whether these are absorbed or penetrate is unclear.

      Niven used a similar material scrith for the structural material of the Ringworld.

      Scrith is milky-gray translucent in color, and is a nearly frictionless material. The fairly thin layer of scrith that forms the floor of the Ringworld blocks the passage of 40% of the Neutrinos that encounter it, equivalent to almost an Earth-lightyear of lead. It also absorbs nearly 100% of all other radiation and subatomic particles and rapidly dissipates heat. The tensile strength of scrith is theorized to be similar to the Strong nuclear force, with the Ringworld foundation only measuring about 30m (100 ft) thick. It is transparent to magnetic fields.

      Due to its enormous strength, scrith is impervious to most weapons. A body (such as a comet or asteroid) striking with enough kinetic energy may be able to deform the Ringworld floor enough to puncture it. The Ringworld engineers used a device, called the Cziltang Brone in the City Builder language, to pass from the vacuum of the rim spaceports through the scrith to the habitable surfaces of the Ringworld.

      --
      Why is Snark Required?
  2. is it breakthrough or not... by proto · · Score: 1

    Picture this.... Imagine point A being the day we formed first theory of Quantum physics and point Z the day we built the first functional Quantum computer. Does this invention represent a huge step toward point Z for quantum computing?

    1. Re:is it breakthrough or not... by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 1

      Picture this.... Imagine point A being the day we formed first theory of Quantum physics and point Z the day we built the first functional Quantum computer. Does this invention represent a huge step toward point Z for quantum computing?

      More of a quantum leap I think. ;-)

    2. Re:is it breakthrough or not... by gstoddart · · Score: 2

      Yesnomaybe.

      I assume this is a step forward in making molecules with rings ... beyond that, who the hell knows?

      Quantum computing is overhyped and underrated. At the same damned time. Because it's freakin' quantum!!

      I'm still not sure most people even know WTF it is supposed to be used for, how it works, or if half the claims are (or even can be) true.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    3. Re:is it breakthrough or not... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah - I have to say I normally get what most things in the nerd-sphere are at least *about* - even if I am not an expert, or even amateur. But this summary ? No idea what the fuck they are talking about.

    4. Re:is it breakthrough or not... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We already have functional quantum computers. The problem is that they harness just a few qbits, and are therefore good for illustration purposes alone. I don't know whether or not this development gets us any closer to having quantum computers with a nontrivial number of qbits. I think it does not immediately, but it opens a new avenue to explore.

    5. Re:is it breakthrough or not... by doug141 · · Score: 1

      If it works, it will be used to break encryption. It's doubtful there will be an official announcement. Look for unexpected changes in the flows of money and influence.

    6. Re:is it breakthrough or not... by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      What, you mean things somehow different from the already fucked up money system we have?

      Sorry, but the only people who would notice that would be the ones skimming off the top through High Frequency Trading.

      The rest of us will have no damned way of knowing.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    7. Re:is it breakthrough or not... by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      the other problem is that we don't know how to properly set up presently intractable problems on a quantum computer; they *might* be a breakthrough for problem solving

  3. brawl of the nanocentury! by Thud457 · · Score: 2

    Coming this Sunday! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
    In the Extra-LARGE Nanocage!

    The Maryland University Laboratory for Physical Sciences -vs- DWave!
    in an no-holds barred entangled deathmatch!

    1QB -vs- zombEinstein

    NIST -vs- Hal Puthoff
    in a teleportation race for the cash!

    and a special guest appearance by Oderus Urungus singing the National Anthem before the show

    general seating only $11.11 at the door
    BE THERE! or maybe not.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  4. 2015 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    When this baby gets to 88 rings, you're gonna see some serious stuff...

    1. Re:2015 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Great Scott!

  5. Extra-large nanocage ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I call this a "cage"

  6. I'm pretty sure.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    640 rings will be enough for anyone...

  7. Shor algorithm by manu0601 · · Score: 1

    I understand the day quantum computing will be able to do serious stuff, then RSA based crypto will collapse because of quantum computer ability to factorize big number through the Shor algorithm.

    I see progress in the quantum computing field, but I do not see RSA replacement coming in the consumer crypto field (i.e.: TLS). I understand even ECDSA relies on big number factoriation being difficult.

    We are heading to a difficult situation.