Quantum computing

olivier renault · 23 Mar 2011 at 23:21

Andy90 said:
Interesting, but what exactly is a quantum computer chip supposed to do? I understand the speed of calculation would make it an excellent code breaker, but what other practical applications are there?

It will bring Kasparov to tears, that's for sure.

Cr0fty · 24 Mar 2011 at 00:05

Andy90 said:
Interesting, but what exactly is a quantum computer chip supposed to do? I understand the speed of calculation would make it an excellent code breaker, but what other practical applications are there?

Create infinite amounts of porn in one go.
Stream infinite amounts of porn in one go.
Erm
Profit??

russ0r · 24 Mar 2011 at 00:19

Andy90 said:
Interesting, but what exactly is a quantum computer chip supposed to do? I understand the speed of calculation would make it an excellent code breaker, but what other practical applications are there?

Considering everything is based on mathematics in one way or another, almost anything.
Up until now the only constraint has been time. Quantum computing pretty much eliminates that with its massive scalability.
Designing spacecraft, testing aerodynamics, finding a cure for disease. Eventually you could probably simulate a universe (Asimov anyone?)

Cr0fty · 24 Mar 2011 at 00:22

russ0r said:
Considering everything is based on mathematics in one way or another, almost anything.
Up until now the only constraint has been time. Quantum computing pretty much eliminates that with its massive scalability.
Designing spacecraft, testing aerodynamics, finding a cure for disease. Eventually you could probably simulate a universe (Asimov anyone?)

What happens if you cross the event horizon of a black hole in a quantum holodeck?

Hawk Tuah · 24 Mar 2011 at 01:23

Whenever I've heard quantum computing described, I've felt there is an inherent flaw that means this will never work in the way predicted.

mrk · 24 Mar 2011 at 01:25

Bug One said:
Whenever I've heard quantum computing described, I've felt there is an inherent flaw that means this will never work in the way predicted.

As in it will turn on to us Terminator AI style or it will fall over like an Asimov prototype?

Either way, this has worked so far and looks set to continue to work with every development, hence the Op!

GothicCorpse · 24 Mar 2011 at 01:26

true, it will just make your head explode or someting!

Edinho · 24 Mar 2011 at 01:39

They've been going on about quantum computers for 20 years and were are still no further ahead. Not going to hold my breath.

This is going to go the same way as superconductors in the 1990's we were going to have superconductors at room temperatures and infinite free power and everything that came with it - a nice idea but unachievable.

mrk · 24 Mar 2011 at 01:41

Edinho said:
They've been going on about quantum computers for 20 years and were are still no further ahead. Not going to hold my breath.

I see, posting without reading the Op, awesome!

Edinho · 24 Mar 2011 at 01:48

Khaaan! said:
I see, posting without reading the Op, awesome!

Anthony Kinson said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12811199

What are your thoughts on this?

I'm actually pretty excited about it, it looks and sounds very promising.

erm come again?

That isn't a quantum computer no more than I can theoretically transfer myself to another universe.

mrk · 24 Mar 2011 at 02:26

You sai dthey've been going on about it for 20years and that it still hasn't happened. Well the people who have a working quantum computer prototype today say nothing like it existed 10years ago and it does now and it's only going to get scaled up and up as the years go on (and now at a faster rate).

I assume you just posted a reply based on the bold bit and didn't read the source.