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Intel Unveils 'Breakthrough' 49 Qubit Quantum Computer (extremetech.com)

Long-time Slashdot reader cold fjord writes: Extremetech reports, "At CES 2018 this week, Intel's CEO Brian Krzanich declared the company's new 49-qubit quantum computer represented a step towards "quantum supremacy." A 49 qubit system is a major advance for Intel, which just demonstrated a 17-qubit system two months ago. Intel's working with the Netherlands-based Qutech on this project, and expanding the number of qubits is key to creating quantum computers that can deliver real-world results... "Qubits are tremendously fragile," Intel wrote in October. "Any noise or unintended observation of them can cause data loss. This fragility requires them to operate at about 20 millikelvin -- 250 times colder than deep space." This is also why we won't be seeing quantum computers in anyone's house at any point."
Krzanich also thanked the industry for "coming together" to address the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities. "The collaboration among so many companies to address this industry-wide issue across several different processor architectures has been truly remarkable."

7 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Still conflating Meltdown with Spectre by 110010001000 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What is even more sad is that the Intel CEO dumped all of his stock after learning about the flawed processors, and it looks like he is getting away with it.

  2. Predictions by ChatHuant · · Score: 5, Informative

    " This is also why we won't be seeing quantum computers in anyone's house at any point."

    "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."

    Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977

  3. Quantum Domination / Supremacy by cold+fjord · · Score: 5, Informative

    Intel’s New Chip Aims For Quantum Supremacy

    . . . those 49 qbits can already do something that almost no traditional computer, even a supercomputer, can: solve a sorting problem that has up to 5.63 trillion possible outcomes. This is right around a milestone called “quantum supremacy”–the point at which a standard computer can’t even simulate a quantum machine.

    The promise of a quantum computer comes from one of those spooky aspects of quantum physics, whereby each qbit can hold two (or more) values simultaneously. Each time you add a qbit, you raise two to a higher exponent value. In this case, two raised to the 49th power yields 562,949,950,000,000 variations that can be compared at once. This technique is ideal for certain types of calculations, like speculative chemistry research that simulates the interactions of dozens of electrons, around multiple atoms, at once. It’s also useful for cracking digital encryption.

    --
    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  4. Re: Huge breakthrough by michelcolman · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think there's a world market for maybe five quantum computers...

  5. Re: Huge breakthrough by NicknameUnavailable · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You only need superconducting temperatures for qubits. A few years ago there was actually a design for room-temperature qubit handling hardware, but all the engineers involved in the patent rights mysteriously vanished (**cough** MH370 **cough**.) Interesting, the Rotheschilds were the only other patent holder - so they hold the rights to room temperature quantum computing now.

  6. Re:Huge breakthrough by 110010001000 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That explains why I am so uncertain if my wifi is going to work or not...

  7. Need 2 more dimensions ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 4, Funny

    “And this is how you shall make it: The length of the CPU shall be 300 qubits, its width 50 qubits, and its height 30 qubits.” (Genesis 6:15)

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.