Large scale Quantum computing developments

[1oldman2]

I have been reading lately about the University of Sussex work on large scale quantum computing that doesn't require the Laser beam approach to controlling the atom. This seems like a huge breakthrough in the development of quantum computers however a forum search doesn't have any mention of it, are there any thoughts on how this new approach will impact the future of quantum computing ?

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/newsandevents/?id=28441
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/38093
Scientists at the University of Sussex have invented a ground-breaking new method that puts the construction of large-scale quantum computers within reach of current technology.

Universal quantum computers can be built in principle - but the technology challenges are tremendous. The engineering required to build one is considered more difficult than manned space travel to Mars – until now.

 

[gavztheouch]

I was thinking the same. Seems like a big breakthough but no chat about it on the net.

I have nothing to add sadly as i just recently began following the development of quantum computing.

They said it will take 4 years to build a scaled up version. I hope Microsoft or similar will give them a hand to speed things. They do seem motivated so maybe they will work faster as a small team. Congrats to them and long may their success continue

 

[f95toli]

The guys at Sussex are doing some very interesting work. However, it is just one of several competing technologies and although scaling up their technology might be a bit easier than with normal optics it is still extremely challenging. Hence, it will be several years before we know how well this technology scales up to larger circuits.

(this is not my area but I tend to go to the same workshops/conferences as the guys from Sussex, so I've seen several talks over the past couple of years where they've discussed their experiments)

 

[A. Neumaier]

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/newsandevents/?id=28441
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/38093
Scientists at the University of Sussex have invented a ground-breaking new method that puts the construction of large-scale quantum computers within reach of current technology.

That's a huge exaggeration. From Schroedinger's cat to a programmable quantum computer is a step like from the first amino acid to a human being. At present, quantum computers can hardly do more that multiplying 3*5. See the discussion at https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/status-of-quantum-computing.880521

 

[Demystifier]

quantum computers can hardly do more that multiplying 3*5

It's not about multiplying 3 and 5, it's about factorizing 15.
With classical computation the latter task seems much harder than the former (especially when 15 is replaced by a much larger number), but nobody knows how to prove that it really is much harder.

 

[A. Neumaier]

It's not about multiplying 3 and 5, it's about factorizing 15.
With classical computation the latter task seems much harder than the former (especially when 15 is replaced by a much larger number), but nobody knows how to prove that it really is much harder.

It doesn't matter as long as quantum computers cannot factor numbers with hundred digits. It will take a century...

 

[1oldman2]

I was thinking the same. Seems like a big breakthough but no chat about it on the net.

Not much at all being mentioned, maybe more soon though. I did come across this.
http://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.220501
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1409.2202.pdf
This seemed intriguing although it's way past my level. I'm particularly wondering if the QSL mentioned will be involved in any of the ColdAtom experiments JPL is planning on the ISS.
http://www.nature.com/nphys/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nphys3971.html

http://www.technology.org/2016/12/0...tal-point-extremely-rare-quantum-spin-liquid/

"Imagine a state of matter where this entanglement doesn’t involve two electrons but involves, three, five, 10 or 10 billion particles all in the same system," Mourigal said. "You can create a very, very exotic state of matter based on the fact that all these particles are entangled with each other. There are no individual particles anymore, but one huge electron ensemble acting collectively."

The ytterbium crystal was first synthesized a year ago by scientists in China, where the government in Beijing has invested heavily in hopes of creating synthetic quantum materials with novel properties. It appears they may have now succeeded, said Mourigal, an assistant professor at Georgia Tech’s School of Physics.

 

[1oldman2]

From Schroedinger's cat to a programmable quantum computer

I know, I nearly didn't post that link in particular, and cringed when I did. I figured the "cat" reference was a little bit mainstream pop but went with it because it was a U of S site.
Thanks for the thread link, that was interesting.

 

[1oldman2]

Upcoming attractions ?
http://www.nature.com/news/quantum-computers-ready-to-leap-out-of-the-lab-in-2017-1.21239