quantum computers
New MIT developments in quantum computing
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Quantum computers are computers that exploit the weird properties of matter at extremely small scales. Many experts believe that a full-blown quantum computer could perform calculations that would be hopelessly time consuming on c…
NIST advances single photon management for quantum computers
The quantum computers of tomorrow might use photons, or particles of light, to move around the data they need to make calculations, but photons are tricky to work with. Two new papers* by researchers working at the National Institute of Stan…
Quantum computers a step closer to reality thanks to new finding
Quantum computers should be much easier to build than previously thought, because they can still work with a large number of faulty or even missing components, according to a study published today in Physical Review Letters. This surprising discover…
Unique duality: Princeton-led team discovers ‘exotic’ superconductor with metallic surface
A new material with a split personality — part superconductor, part metal — has been observed by a Princeton University-led research team. The discovery may have implications for the development of next-generation electronics that could transform …
Quantum computing with braids in flatland
When confined to a 2-dimensional sheet, some exotic particle-like structures known as anyons appear to entwine in ways that could lead to robust quantum computing schemes, according to research appearing in the November 1 issue of the journal Physic…
Heisenberg’s revenge: Energy need may cap size, ability of quantum computers
The energy required to create an accurate quantum computer may limit the ability of scientists to make these novel devices small, fast, cheap and efficient, says a University of Arkansas researcher. Quantum computing relies on using single atomic particles as units for information storage. Manipulating this information requires pulsed electromagnetic fields?which contain energy. The researcher found that the energy needed to perform a calculation is inversely proportional to the error rate: In other words, more energy means less uncertainty.