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.
Bizarre maybe but I think it's cool.
1 posted on
02/23/2006 8:50:50 AM PST by
edcoil
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To: edcoil
Think of how great this country would be if we could get Congress to not run!
To: edcoil
I don't understand any of this. But, somehow, I'm glad I don't.
3 posted on
02/23/2006 8:53:24 AM PST by
formercalifornian
(One nation, under whatever popular fad comes to mind at the moment, indivisible...)
To: edcoil
I don't understand this. Did the cat turn the computer on or not?
parsy, who demands the possibilty of an answer.
4 posted on
02/23/2006 8:53:50 AM PST by
parsifal
("Knock and ye shall receive!" (The Bible, somewhere.))
To: edcoil
I don't know, the whole article went right over my head.
5 posted on
02/23/2006 8:55:17 AM PST by
caver
(Yes, I did crawl out of a hole in the ground.)
To: edcoil
Yes, that's true.
For completely B.S. definitions of the phrase 'switched off'.
6 posted on
02/23/2006 8:55:23 AM PST by
Netheron
To: edcoil
In a constant state, but not really "not running". Big difference. "Not running" would be like pulling the power plug.
7 posted on
02/23/2006 8:55:39 AM PST by
TommyDale
To: edcoil
I
told my Mother that my brain is a quantum computer.
Did she believe me?
No!
Well, she might now.
8 posted on
02/23/2006 8:57:25 AM PST by
jigsaw
(David Gregory will be the last to know he's shooting his mouth off.)
To: edcoil
"A non-running computer produces fewer errors," says Hosten.I think I'll try this at work. "If I don't work, I'll produce fewer errors." See how it goes over.
11 posted on
02/23/2006 8:58:57 AM PST by
dirtboy
(I'm fat, I sleep most of the winter and I saw my shadow yesterday. Does that make me a groundhog?)
To: edcoil
A related thought problem:
the Elitzur-Vaidman bomb-testing problem. If the only way to test a bomb is to trigger it and see whether it goes off, quantum mechanics can help you find which bombs
would go off, without actually triggering them.
To: edcoil
Must be a DU computer.........
13 posted on
02/23/2006 9:00:44 AM PST by
Red Badger
(And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him...)
To: edcoil
To: edcoil
I voted to turn the computer off before it was on
To: edcoil
Quantum computer works best switched off
Now, if we could only use the 'running, not running' principle on our cars. Imagine being able to get from point A to point B with your automobile turned off. Imagine the energy savings!
22 posted on
02/23/2006 9:10:45 AM PST by
adorno
To: edcoil
Quantum computing gives me a headache.
To: edcoil
27 posted on
02/23/2006 9:15:58 AM PST by
No.6
(www.fourthfightergroup.com)
To: edcoil
I posted this reply before this thread was even started. Took a while to show up here though, quantum anomolies and all..
28 posted on
02/23/2006 9:19:13 AM PST by
Paradox
(Liberalism is Narcissism.)
To: edcoil
Oh oh, now we are REALLY in trouble!!!!
To: edcoil
37 posted on
02/23/2006 9:44:09 AM PST by
dfwgator
To: edcoil
Misleading headline. The computer was running
To: edcoil
43 posted on
02/23/2006 9:50:38 AM PST by
techcor
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