World’s first commercial quantum computer sold to Lockheed Martin
05-31-2011, 03:33 PM
#1
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World’s first commercial quantum computer sold to Lockheed Martin
Looking forward to some Joe Perez ruminations on this development.
And the obligatory semi-relevant cat photo:
The world’s first commercially available quantum computer, which uses principles of quantum mechanics rather than classical mechanics, was sold to aerospace, defense and security company Lockheed Martin.
Unlike computers based on transistors, quantum computers rely on principles of quantum mechanics to conduct operations. The computers take advantage of properties like entanglement — when two particles have the same properties and behave identically while being separate — and storing data with “qubits,” or quantum bits. Typical bits store memory by registering an “on” or “off,” or a one or zero, while qubits can represent information as both memory and the state of entanglement with other particles.
The quantum computer uses a system of 128 qubits, which means the computer will be able to solve more complex problems than traditional computers at a much higher speed. The computer is able to tackle computing-intensive problems related to number theory and optimization. One example is Shor’s Algorithm, a quantum algorithm that determines the prime factors of a large number quickly and efficiently. Given enough qubits, a quantum computer can use Shor’s Algorithm to break modern encryption algorithms like RSA encryption, a type of public-key cryptography.
The computers can theoretically be significantly faster than regular computers and can solve much more complex problems. They could also lead to new kinds of encryption methods and security algorithms to secure data and model more complex systems — such as emulating how enzymes in the human body work and modeling more complex biological systems.
D-Wave was founded in 1999 and calls itself “the quantum computing company.” It is selling the computer, called the “D-Wave One,” for $10 million per computer. The company will also perform maintenance on the computer and other professional services.
Unlike computers based on transistors, quantum computers rely on principles of quantum mechanics to conduct operations. The computers take advantage of properties like entanglement — when two particles have the same properties and behave identically while being separate — and storing data with “qubits,” or quantum bits. Typical bits store memory by registering an “on” or “off,” or a one or zero, while qubits can represent information as both memory and the state of entanglement with other particles.
The quantum computer uses a system of 128 qubits, which means the computer will be able to solve more complex problems than traditional computers at a much higher speed. The computer is able to tackle computing-intensive problems related to number theory and optimization. One example is Shor’s Algorithm, a quantum algorithm that determines the prime factors of a large number quickly and efficiently. Given enough qubits, a quantum computer can use Shor’s Algorithm to break modern encryption algorithms like RSA encryption, a type of public-key cryptography.
The computers can theoretically be significantly faster than regular computers and can solve much more complex problems. They could also lead to new kinds of encryption methods and security algorithms to secure data and model more complex systems — such as emulating how enzymes in the human body work and modeling more complex biological systems.
D-Wave was founded in 1999 and calls itself “the quantum computing company.” It is selling the computer, called the “D-Wave One,” for $10 million per computer. The company will also perform maintenance on the computer and other professional services.
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05-31-2011, 09:04 PM
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So long as nobody observes me, I should be fine...
... which may present something of a problem as I'm in Manhattan just at the moment, and tomorrow morning I need to ride a crowded subway train to JFK airport (which will be crowded) and then get onto a crowded airplane and fly to LAX (which will also be crowded) and then get onto a much smaller airplane (which, in terms of eyeballs per cubic meter of enclosed volume will be the most crowded of all).
$5 says that some wiseass sysadmin at Lockheed slaps a sticker on the front of the machine which says:
On a more serious note, I've heard (vaguely) about the notion of quantum computing before, and now having read this, I just spent the past two hours reading up on the subject, and I have reached only one solid conclusion: Trying to understand how a quantum bit works makes me feel like a complete idiot.
... which may present something of a problem as I'm in Manhattan just at the moment, and tomorrow morning I need to ride a crowded subway train to JFK airport (which will be crowded) and then get onto a crowded airplane and fly to LAX (which will also be crowded) and then get onto a much smaller airplane (which, in terms of eyeballs per cubic meter of enclosed volume will be the most crowded of all).
$5 says that some wiseass sysadmin at Lockheed slaps a sticker on the front of the machine which says:
This is a computer.
This is not a computer.
This is not a computer.
On a more serious note, I've heard (vaguely) about the notion of quantum computing before, and now having read this, I just spent the past two hours reading up on the subject, and I have reached only one solid conclusion: Trying to understand how a quantum bit works makes me feel like a complete idiot.
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05-31-2011, 09:32 PM
#7
that's exactly how we feel ! lol
yeah, that's alien technology. the fact that they are talking about it publicly means that the next generation of it is already in use by gov., and defense contractors. probably something bio-electric, more a like human brain with living tissue linked nano circuits.
yeah, that's alien technology. the fact that they are talking about it publicly means that the next generation of it is already in use by gov., and defense contractors. probably something bio-electric, more a like human brain with living tissue linked nano circuits.
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05-31-2011, 09:51 PM
#8
"The Bloch sphere is a representation of a qubit, the fundamental building block of quantum computers."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computer
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06-01-2011, 12:48 PM
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Oh quantum mechanics, how I love you and don't love you.
Who the **** makes a computer based on quantum mechanics. Or who comes up with the ******* principles of it. A computer based on particles that are there, but not there, and two places at the same time. How does that work in a computer. "Ah ****, my memory data is now in the Marianas Trench." or "Ah ****, my encrypted data is now in the enemies computer"
Who the **** makes a computer based on quantum mechanics. Or who comes up with the ******* principles of it. A computer based on particles that are there, but not there, and two places at the same time. How does that work in a computer. "Ah ****, my memory data is now in the Marianas Trench." or "Ah ****, my encrypted data is now in the enemies computer"
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06-01-2011, 08:09 PM
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I was under the impression that quantum computers can't do anything significant because it may not be possible to get to the mechanically lowest state quantum.
Plus NOT using an algorithm to solve a problem sounds like the matter that went 'missing' from the universe. "Oops. There it is. Our bad, we weren't looking hard enough."
Plus NOT using an algorithm to solve a problem sounds like the matter that went 'missing' from the universe. "Oops. There it is. Our bad, we weren't looking hard enough."
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06-01-2011, 08:37 PM
#19
If you measure the three qubits, you will observe a three-bit string. The probability of measuring a given string is the squared magnitude of that string's coefficient (i.e., the probability of measuring 000 = | a | 2, the probability of measuring 001 = | b | 2, etc..). Thus, measuring a quantum state described by complex coefficients (a,b,...,h) gives the classical probability distribution ( | a | 2, | b | 2,..., | h | 2) and we say that the quantum state "collapses" to a classical state as a result of making the measurement.
This **** really gets heavy.
This **** really gets heavy.
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06-01-2011, 08:49 PM
#20
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Thank you.
That was precisely as helpful as trying to explain the abstract expressionist movement to a blind caveman, in Latin.
Ok, I actually LOLed at that one.
Er... yeah.
I'm starting to get an idea of how "normal" people probably react when they ask me what I do for a living and I actually tell them in any level of detail.
That was precisely as helpful as trying to explain the abstract expressionist movement to a blind caveman, in Latin.
Ok, I actually LOLed at that one.
If you measure the three qubits, you will observe a three-bit string. The probability of measuring a given string is the squared magnitude of that string's coefficient (i.e., the probability of measuring 000 = | a | 2, the probability of measuring 001 = | b | 2, etc..). Thus, measuring a quantum state described by complex coefficients (a,b,...,h) gives the classical probability distribution ( | a | 2, | b | 2,..., | h | 2) and we say that the quantum state "collapses" to a classical state as a result of making the measurement.
I'm starting to get an idea of how "normal" people probably react when they ask me what I do for a living and I actually tell them in any level of detail.
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