Discovering who’s doing what in quantum computing research : like herding Schrodinger’s cat

There was a big UWA announcement yesterday on quantum computing, the still unproven technology that could create exponential increases in computer processing speed. Most media ignored it – probably because they struggled with the not especially informative university announcement. CMM also struggled, who had a go, reporting that qubits, the basis of quantum computing can run on the silicon chips used in conventional computers.

Later in the day UoQ physicist Timothy Ralph reported the same research, which he also worked on, explaining the University of Bristol-led team has created a silicon chip that can move photons, particles of light, along tracks, encoding and processing qubits.

“The real trick is creating a quantum computing device that is reprogrammable and can be made at low cost. … What this means is that we’ve effectively created a programmable machine that can accomplish a variety of tasks,” Professor Ralph says in an announcement even CMM could understand.

Sounds and undoubtedly is, impressive. But where does it fit in the worldwide research race, including Australian efforts, to create practical quantum computers? “Understanding where competitive research fits, and doesn’t, together is like herding Schrodingers’ cat” a learned reader who knows a qubit from a quokka, says.


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