A superconducting chip developed at IBM demonstrates an important step needed for the creation of computer processors that crunch numbers by exploiting the weirdness of quantum physics. If successfully developed, quantum computers could effectively take shortcuts through many calculations that are difficult for today's computers.
IBM's new chip is the first to integrate the basic devices needed to build a quantum computer, known as qubits, into a 2-D grid. Researchers think one of the best routes to making a practical quantum computer would involve creating grids of hundreds or thousands of qubits working together. The circuits of IBM's chip are made from metals that become superconducting when cooled to extremely low temperatures. The chip operates at only a fraction of a degree above absolute zero.
IBM's chip contains only the simplest grid possible, four qubits in a two-by-two array. But previously researchers had only shown they could operate qubits together when arranged in a line. Unlike conventional binary bits, a qubit can enter a "superposition state" where it is effectively both 0 and 1 at the same time. When qubits in this state work together, they can cut through complex calculations in ways impossible for conventional hardware. Google, NASA, Microsoft, IBM, and the U.S. government are all working on the technology.
Nature Communications: Demonstration of a quantum error detection code using a square lattice of four superconducting qubits
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 01 2015, @03:04PM
Is that what's new here?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 01 2015, @04:42PM
First off, it's spelled cubits. And secondly, they're not new, they've been around since ancient Egypt.
(Score: 2) by Megahard on Friday May 01 2015, @06:58PM
Yes, it can now simultaneously solve all 2x2 tic-tac-toe games.