Physics Help Forum Describe a quantum computer

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 Sep 5th 2009, 03:22 PM #1 Junior Member   Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 Describe a quantum computer I would like to know if the following counterintuitive statement is representative for how a supposed quantum computer is believed to posses an exponential speed up over modern modern computers: Define a $\displaystyle 1 qubit$ system as one machine, a $\displaystyle 2 qubit$ system as two machines, and so on. If one machine can accomplish a task in 64 minutes, then 2 machines can accomplish the task in 16 minutes, while 3 machines can accomplish it in 8 minutes, while 4 machines in only 4 minutes.
 Sep 5th 2009, 05:26 PM #2 Physics Team     Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 310 You have the correct idea. I like to think of it by comparing a computer to a building full of offices. Instead of checking one office at a time, a quantum computer allows us to check multiple (or several) offices at one time. __________________ "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." - Thomas Jefferson. "Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes her laws." -Mayer Amschel Rothschild I study Mathematical Physics at the University of Waterloo. -DC
 Sep 5th 2009, 05:38 PM #3 Junior Member   Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 I doubt an efficient quantum computer will ever be realized. The ideas for what such a device can accomplish sounds like pseudoscience when you think about it.
 Sep 5th 2009, 05:54 PM #4 Physics Team     Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 310 Quantum computers have already been created. __________________ "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." - Thomas Jefferson. "Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes her laws." -Mayer Amschel Rothschild I study Mathematical Physics at the University of Waterloo. -DC
 Sep 5th 2009, 06:13 PM #5 Junior Member   Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 I said I doubt an efficient quantum computer will ever be created. The ones that currently exists use only a couple of qubits, they require tons of resources, and they don't even work that accurately.
Sep 5th 2009, 06:14 PM   #6
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Posts: 310
 Originally Posted by jamix I said I doubt an efficient quantum computer will ever be created. The ones that currently exists use only a couple of qubits, they require tons of resources, and they don't even work that accurately.

...and yet they are still faster than an average laptop.

Give it time, we'll have a proper quantum computer within 15 years.
__________________
"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes her laws." -Mayer Amschel Rothschild

I study Mathematical Physics at the
University of Waterloo.

-DC

Last edited by Deco; Sep 5th 2009 at 06:23 PM.

 Sep 5th 2009, 06:25 PM #7 Junior Member   Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 They are still far slower than any modern device In fact, the complete version of a rudimentary quantum computer has only just been accomplished. See Tiny device is first complete 'quantum computer' - physicsworld.com
Sep 5th 2009, 06:30 PM   #8
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 They are still far slower than any modern device
Ultrafast quantum computer uses optically controlled electrons

1-10 GHz. I'd say thats pretty decent.
__________________
"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes her laws." -Mayer Amschel Rothschild

I study Mathematical Physics at the
University of Waterloo.

-DC

 Sep 5th 2009, 06:43 PM #9 Junior Member   Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 In the article, it mentions that the speed gets reduced to 1-10MHz not 1-10GHz. Furthermore, they haven't actually built the machine, so that idea is still hypothetical.
 Sep 5th 2009, 07:32 PM #10 Physics Team     Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 310 Yes, they have. First Quantum Computer Demonstrated __________________ "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." - Thomas Jefferson. "Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes her laws." -Mayer Amschel Rothschild I study Mathematical Physics at the University of Waterloo. -DC

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