Multi-Purpose Photonic Chip Paves the Way to Programmable Quantum Processors

[HysteryDiagnosis]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111211134004.htm

ScienceDaily (Dec. 11, 2011) — A multi-purpose optical chip which generates, manipulates and measures entanglement and mixture -- two quantum phenomena which are essential driving forces for tomorrow's quantum computers -- has been developed by researchers from the University of Bristol's Centre for Quantum Photonics. This work represents an important step forward in the race to develop a quantum computer.


ScienceDaily (Dec. 11, 2011) — A multi-purpose optical chip which generates, manipulates and measures entanglement and mixture -- two quantum phenomena which are essential driving forces for tomorrow's quantum computers -- has been developed by researchers from the University of Bristol's Centre for Quantum Photonics. This work represents an important step forward in the race to develop a quantum computer.

The fundamental resource that drives a quantum computer is entanglement -- the connection between two distant particles which Einstein famously called 'spooky action at a distance'. The Bristol researchers have, for the first time, shown that this remarkable phenomenon can be generated, manipulated and measured entirely on a tiny silica chip. They have also used the same chip to measure mixture -- an often unwanted effect from the environment, but a phenomenon which can now be controlled and used to characterize quantum circuits, as well as being of fundamental interest to physicists.

[drm604]

1. This could lead to some very interesting things.

[limpyhobbler]

2. huh?

Is this even real? It sounds real, but for for all I know it could be totally made up. Science is getting to where I no longer have the fundamental concepts to understand it. This sounds like Star Trek to me.

Whatever it is, is it safe?

Can it be weaponized?

Could it accidentally "blow up the earth"?

Just sayin.