• morningsun76
  • morningsun76
  • the answer has been with you the whole time
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  • From: In two worlds
  • Registered: 2004-09-10

Topic: Quantum computing

The headline of this article grabbed my attention:

Quantum computer works best switched off

    * 22 February 2006
    * From New Scientist Print Edition

Even for the crazy world of quantum mechanics, this one is twisted. A quantum computer program has produced an answer without actually running.

The idea behind the feat, first proposed in 1998, is to put a quantum computer into a “superposition� , a state in which it is both running and not running. It is as if you asked Schr ¶dinger's cat to hit "Run".

With the right set-up, the theory suggested, the computer would sometimes get an answer out of the computer even though the program did not run. And now researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have improved on the original design and built a non-running quantum computer that really works.

They send a photon into a system of mirrors and other optical devices, which included a set of components that run a simple database search by changing the properties of the photon.

The new design includes a quantum trick called the Zeno effect. Repeated measurements stop the photon from entering the actual program, but allow its quantum nature to flirt with the program's components - so it can become gradually altered even though it never actually passes through.

"It is very bizarre that you know your computer has not run but you also know what the answer is," says team member Onur Hosten.

This scheme could have an advantage over straightforward quantum computing. "A non-running computer produces fewer errors," says Hosten. That sentiment should have technophobes nodding enthusiastically.

Journal reference: Nature (vol 439, p 949)
From issue 2540 of New Scientist magazine, 22 February 2006, page 21

Source

2 Reply by Imhotep7 (edited by Imhotep7 2006-02-23 15:46:23)

  • Imhotep7
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Re: Quantum computing

Good Grief, Charlie Brown! hmm
Too bad our spirituality isn't on par with technology. But it IS reflective, somehow. Just kinda mind boggling, actually.

  • Registered: 2004-04-21

Re: Quantum computing

I think it is reflective, too, Imhotep7!  No one ever "thought" their way to enlightenment did they?  The more I "think", the less I "know"!

4 Reply by Risen (edited by Risen 2006-02-25 01:32:33)

  • Risen
  • Risen
  • The Anti-Ism
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  • Registered: 2005-09-30

Re: Quantum computing

*scratches head* ehm... uhm...

I think this means something, but I'm not quite sure what just yet.  Being a programmer of non-quantum computing, I can't quite put my head around the idea of something running yet not running.  Sounds to me like the photon did "run", since it was allowed to "flirt" with the programs components.

Thus it *did* perform some action, thus "running" through at least *parts* of the program, even if not the core program itself.  So this sounds to me like photons (instead of electrons) flowed through at least *some* pathways.  When electrons flow through the pathways in the CPU we say a calculation was "run".  So I'm saying yes it did run.

Now I'm no metaphysics or expert in quanti, thats just my take.

This is no time for the righteous
Only the wicked survive
Bake up a batch of the Yellow Cake
Bake up a batch of the lies
- - - - -[ Yellow Cake - Ministry - Rio Grande Blood (2006)