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July 19, 2008 2:16:51 AM CDT

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Quantum Computing Works in Experiment

Posted Mar 4, 08 11:44 AM CST in Technology 

(Newser) – In theory, a quantum supercomputer would be insanely powerful. By manipulating atoms, quantum bits—qubits, for short—would never be definite 1s or 0s. Instead, they would be both at once, in theory allowing a device using them to solve nigh-impossible problems. That theory is getting closer to reality, Ars Technica reports. In recent as-yet-unpublished research, scientists report they've made a tiny two qubit computer.

Once rigged into a simple neural network, the two qubit setup was able to memorize all four potential two-digit binary sequences – 0-0, 0-1, etc – whereas a typical two-bit computer would only be able to store a single pattern. What's still not known is if the approach can be scaled upward. If it can, a new age of computing may be in the wings.

Source Ars Technica

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