Quantum leap towards superfast computers
April 7th, 2009 Posted in News
Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Manchester recently developed a device which could mean that superfast quantum computers become only a glimpse away.
The new device successfully combines magnetic molecules to a so called molecular machine able to shuttle these molecules between two distinct locations without requiring any external force.
Instead of the current black and white binary computing, where a microprocessor can only read a 0 or 1 at a time, quantum computing employs quantum binary digits, or qubits, which may not only occupy a range of intermediate values but may also exist in parallel. As a result, effective manipulation of multiple qubits can lead to computers which are millions of times faster than current computers.
According to Professor David Leigh, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry, “The magnetic molecules involved have a potential to be used as qubits, and combining them with molecular machines enables them to move, which could be useful for building quantum computers.”
Professor Richard Winpenny of the University of Manchester’s School of Chemistry, said: “Here we have shown we can bring the qubits together, control how far apart they are, and potentially switch the device between two or more states. The remaining challenge is to learn how to do the switching, and that’s what we’re trying to do now.”
Original Paper:
Chin-Fa Lee, David A. Leigh, Robin G. Pritchard, David Schultz, Simon J. Teat, Grigore A. Timco, Richard E. P. Winpenny, Hybrid organic–inorganic rotaxanes and molecular shuttles. Nature 458, 314 – 318 (19 Mar 2009)
-Stylianos Serghiou
