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Schrodinger's Comp: Quantum Computing
Techtree News Staff, Jul 22, 2008 1145 hrs ISTResearchers claim they have controlled the quantum state of an electron, making it exist simultaneously in two states, in a real-life experiment that's reminiscent of Schrodinger's famous thought experiment.
Quantum Computing still remains a hot research concept till we finally get a practical Quantum Computer.
Reportedly, an international team of researchers has demonstrated that "they can control the quantum state of a single electron in a silicon transistor - even putting the electron in two places at once". Quantum computers can perform calculations and process tasks much faster by leveraging "strange properties of subatomic particles" as opposed to a classic silicon-based computer.
Essentially the team was successful in controlling the quantum state by using tiny prefabricated arsenic transistors that alter the voltage applied to a transistor. If you're puzzled about what Quantum Computers are, we recommend you to go through "How Quantum Computers Work" for conceptual clarity.
The research team, led by Sven Rogge, researcher at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands, included researchers from Purdue University, University of Melbourne, and IMEC in Belgium. These researchers connected the one (lower one) of the two silicon nanowires from prefabricated transistors to the arsenic electrodes.
On applying voltage, arsenic atoms were drawn into the transistor. The team applied voltages to 100 transistors, implemented more variations and finally found the electron in three different states - high electric fields, low electric fields and the 'correct' level. The last one that had electron in two places at same time displayed an essential property for quantum computing. More such experiments would be carried to get arsenic or other material atoms in position, more reliably in the transistors.
Abiding by Moore's Law that states - number of transistors on a microprocessor will continue to double every 18 months. By the end of next decade, the world might see a practical quantum circuit-based microprocessors that would be measured on atomic scale. Thus, a practical quantum computing would demand millions of quantum circuits integrated with conventional electronics. Hence the production capacity of quantum circuits needs to pass millions as compared to current maximum capacity of 16.
Won't it be wonderful to have a gadget that computes your heartbeats, blood pressure, calories burnt, protein intake, and glucose level with a single button? The gadgets we're talking about may just come into existence in couple of decades from now.
Reportedly, an international team of researchers has demonstrated that "they can control the quantum state of a single electron in a silicon transistor - even putting the electron in two places at once". Quantum computers can perform calculations and process tasks much faster by leveraging "strange properties of subatomic particles" as opposed to a classic silicon-based computer.
Essentially the team was successful in controlling the quantum state by using tiny prefabricated arsenic transistors that alter the voltage applied to a transistor. If you're puzzled about what Quantum Computers are, we recommend you to go through "How Quantum Computers Work" for conceptual clarity.
The research team, led by Sven Rogge, researcher at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands, included researchers from Purdue University, University of Melbourne, and IMEC in Belgium. These researchers connected the one (lower one) of the two silicon nanowires from prefabricated transistors to the arsenic electrodes.
On applying voltage, arsenic atoms were drawn into the transistor. The team applied voltages to 100 transistors, implemented more variations and finally found the electron in three different states - high electric fields, low electric fields and the 'correct' level. The last one that had electron in two places at same time displayed an essential property for quantum computing. More such experiments would be carried to get arsenic or other material atoms in position, more reliably in the transistors.
Abiding by Moore's Law that states - number of transistors on a microprocessor will continue to double every 18 months. By the end of next decade, the world might see a practical quantum circuit-based microprocessors that would be measured on atomic scale. Thus, a practical quantum computing would demand millions of quantum circuits integrated with conventional electronics. Hence the production capacity of quantum circuits needs to pass millions as compared to current maximum capacity of 16.
Won't it be wonderful to have a gadget that computes your heartbeats, blood pressure, calories burnt, protein intake, and glucose level with a single button? The gadgets we're talking about may just come into existence in couple of decades from now.
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