Powerful Quantum Computing Device On Display In America

A powerful quantum computer has been showcased at the American Physical Society in Dallas, United States. The device which uses “quantum states” of matter to carry out calculations, uses a scalable architecture that gives it the potential to vastly outperform conventional computers. According to the team behind the technology, the small system (6cm x 6cm chip) holds 9 quantum devices, including four “quantum bits” that does the calculations and could be further scaled up to 10 qubits by the end of 2011. This is good news for quantum technology and could pave way for super-fast computers to replace existing transistors-based ones.

The steady increase in complexity of quantum devices is brought about by what has been termed “the RezQu architecture” which has an edge in the important area of scalability thus making the development of much more complex circuits that would make up a proper quantum process or quantum computer very possible in the near future. This remarkable progress shows how far quantum technology has come although it may yet take a while before we begin to see quantum computers manufactured in large quantities and stocked on shelves in retail stores.

If indeed these research experiments are successful and large-scale quantum computers can be built, they will be able to process information and solve difficult tasks much faster than any traditional computer using the best known algorithms.

Talking Point

Is there really a need for faster computers?