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Quantum computing breakthrough claimed
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06/08/2008
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Research by the University of Surrey has shown that it is possible to make workable quantum computers in silicon rather than a vacuum, which has been the focus of previous research.
“These results are a significant step forward in the development of quantum computing,” said research leader Professor Ben Murdin from the University of Surrey. “We hope that this work will open up a new field of physics, where quantum coherence can be explored in solid crystals, but at the same time we have brought a scalable silicon quantum computer a step nearer.”
According to the researchers, previous work has only succeeded in creating some building blocks for a quantum computer by using atoms suspended in a vacuum. Using atoms trapped in a silicon crystal, the research team, which also involved scientists from University College London and Heriot-Watt University, showed that the quantum waves oscillate long enough for computer operation and now hope to produce a higher number of computer bits.
For quantum computers to work, atoms need to be kept fixed in space, allowing them to move in an undisturbed oscillating wave motion. This atomic quantum wave holds much more information than a normal computer bit, meaning the computer logic and programmes needed to crack a code are more powerful, and therefore much faster.
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Author
Graham Pitcher
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