Super-fast quantum computer silicon breakthrough

Ultra-fast quantum computers are a step closer to becoming a reality after scientists generated ten billion bits of quantum entanglement in silicon for the first time.

The achievement in silicon - the basis of the computer chip - has important implications for integration with existing technology, according to a multi-national team of researchers.

The Scientists, from Britain, Japan, Canada and Germany, believe that super-fast quantum computers, based on quantum bits - or qubits - will be able to test many possible solutions to a problem at once.

Conventional computers based on binary 'switches', or bits, can only do one thing at a time.

Dr John Morton, of Oxford University, said: 'Creating ten billion entangled pairs in silicon with high fidelity is an important step forward for us.

'We now need to deal with the challenge of coupling these pairs together to build a scalable quantum computer in silicon.'

Quantum entanglement involves the notion that particles can be connected in such a way that changing the state of one instantly affects the other, even when they are miles apart.

Albert Einstein once famously described it as 'spooky action at a distance'.

Other areas of quantum-related research include ultra-precise measurement and improved imaging. ...

Oxford University's Stephanie Simmons said: 'The key to generating entanglement was to first align all the spins by using high magnetic fields and low temperatures,' said , who also worked on the team.

'Once this has been achieved, the spins can be made to interact with each other using carefully timed microwave and radio frequency pulses in order to create the entanglement, and then prove that it has been made.'

The team's study was published in the journal Nature. ...

via Super-fast quantum computers could soon be a reality after scientists make silicon breakthrough | Mail Online.