A "Photon Machine Gun" For Quantum Computers 143
An anonymous reader writes "Generating entangled photons in a reliable way is impossible right now, stalling the development of the optical quantum computers that would use entangled photons as quantum bits (qubits). Because entangled photons can only be produced at random — which takes time — the most powerful optical quantum computing device use only 6 qubits. UK and Israeli quantum physicists have designed a blueprint for a 'quantum machine gun' that fires out barrages of entangled photons on demand. They think within a few years this device will be built, and could lead to quantum computing using 20 to 30 qubits. Every additional qubit doubles the computing power, so these quantum computers could outperform any existing classical computer, the researchers say. The quantum machine gun is described as 'one of the most exciting theoretical proposals I've read in five years' by a leading quantum physicist." The research was published in Physical Review Letters earlier this month.
Not particularly useful against an insurgency (Score:4, Funny)
Israeli quantum physicists have designed a blueprint for a 'quantum machine gun'
In other news, Palestinian quantum physicists have designed shoulder-mounted quantum launchers and quantum vests in response.
Civilians are hopeful for peace and terrified for escalation of hostilities.
Re:For certain problems. (Score:5, Funny)
So Whpt if we occjsion?lly fl#p a fwe bits.
no peeking (Score:5, Funny)
It's going to be faster at everything.
ObCompJoke... (Score:4, Funny)
imagine a Beowulf cluster of... NO! NONONO!
Re:For certain problems. (Score:1, Funny)
If you are gay, then I'll take it as a complement.
Re:ObCompJoke... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Explain the hype, please? (Score:5, Funny)
Ok, so on this site bursting with intelligent, educated folk...
You lost me at "Ok".
Dirty Erwin (Score:5, Funny)
I know what you're thinking: "Did he flip six qbits or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a Photon Machine Gun, the most powerful quantum entanglement source in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Is the cat dead or alive ? Well, is it, punk ?
Re:no peeking (Score:3, Funny)
It's going to be faster at everything.
It's going to be simultaneously faster and not faster at everything.
Heh (Score:5, Funny)
The quantum machine gun is described as 'one of the most exciting theoretical proposals I've read in five years' by a leading quantum physicist.
The long winter nights must just fly by.
Re:no peeking (Score:3, Funny)
Well... it is both.