Who needs qubits? Factoring algorithm run on a probabilistic computer

[jedishrfu]

https://arstechnica.com/science/201...ng-algorithm-run-on-a-probabilistic-computer/

 

[jedishrfu]

We have a similar kind of device at work that allows one to pretend they have a quantum computer but everything is done with discrete electronics and some magic or is that MAGIC and some discrete electronics.

 

[anorlunda]

Thanks for sharing. It gets to a question I asked long ago on PF,
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/making-a-quantum-computer-do-shors-algorithm.873585/
I never got an answer to that but this article does show how they did it. It appears that they made a neural net using conventional computers for the deep learning feedback and synapse adjustment. That's cheating because the conventional part won't scale with quantum speed.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1557-9/figures/5