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Researchers show sure silicon steps to quantum computing
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06/08/2008
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Workable quantum computers are one step closer, according to researchers at the University of Surrey, who have proved that it is possible to make them in silicon, rather than vacuum.
Quantum computing is widely acknowledged to have the potential to function many orders of magnitude faster than today’s technology. However, to operate, atoms need to be fixed but able to move in undisturbed oscillating waves.
“These results are a significant step forward in the development of quantum computing,” comments research leader Professor Ben Murdin from the University of Surrey.
Previous research has only succeeded in creating some building blocks for a quantum computer by using atoms suspended in a vacuum. Using atoms trapped in a silicon crystal, the research team at Guildford – which also involved scientists from University College London and Heriot-Watt University – showed that quantum waves oscillate long enough for a computer operation, and now hope to produce a higher number of computer bits.
“We hope that this work will open up a new field of physics, where quantum coherence can be explored in solid crystals – but at the same time we have brought a scalable silicon quantum computer a step nearer,” says Prof Murdin.
The researchers used the ‘free electron laser’ FELIX in the Netherlands to carry out the work, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
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Author
Brian Tinham
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