Tiny Holes Advance Quantum Computing

Nick writes "Worldwide, scientists are racing to develop computers that exploit the quantum mechanical properties of atoms - quantum computers. One strategy for making them involves packaging individual atoms on a chip so that laser beams can read quantum data. Scientists at Ohio State University have taken a step toward the development of quantum computers by making tiny holes that contain nothing at all. The holes - dark spots in an egg carton-shaped surface of laser light - could one day cradle atoms for quantum computing."

Great principle

[treff89]

Quantum computing is quite simply where we turn after existing silicon is exhausted. Once the basics about the random nature of quantum particles, which is extremely interesting, the meaning of computer and mechanics thereof can be redefined.

Just in time for Lonhorn!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

Will it run Longhorn?

Re:Great principle

[NetCow]

after existing silicon is exhausted
Good one.

Definitions?

[Rinzai]

"...making tiny holes that contain nothing at all."

Well, yes, that rather is the definition of "hole," isn't it? Having nothing in them is what distinguishes them from the rest of the surroundings.

So the data...

[Anonymous Coward]

...will be read by sharks with friggin lasers on their heads?

Re:Great principle

[the31337z3r0]

Heh. Leap to Quantum. Don't EVER reference that show again.

Mind Boggling

[CleverNickedName]

Scientists ... making tiny holes that contain nothing at all.

So these boffins have developed "nothing", but one day, in the far future, this nothing could be filled with something important.
Wow. What an age we live in.

obligatory Simpsons quote:

[TheAxeMaster]

They're speed holes, they make the computer go faster....

Best part of quantum computing

[bigtallmofo]

The thing I'm really looking forward to on Slashdot 2015 are all the posts:

"Why would anyone need that much power? I remember 9 years ago when we only had 10 qubits [wikipedia.org] to work with! Quantum programmers sure are spoiled and lazy today."

Re:Just in time for Lonhorn!!!

[ZeroExistenZ]

If you get a quantum 3D-accelerated graphicscard.

How many were there?

[sharkey]

And how many would it take to fill the Albert Hall?

Re:Great principle

[koreaman]

Er, I didn't even know it was a show. Did it suck really badly? If so, I am truly sorry, and give you my express written consent to beat me over the head with a rubber chicken.

Real source of technology

[Anonymous Coward]

What they didnt tell you is that the discovery of the holes stems from research into quantum alcohol fast-queuing, aka the first atomic beer-bong.

Oh come on, it is *ohio state*

Magic Red Smoke

[Analogy Man]

Everyone knows current computers and consumer electronics work using magic blue smoke. If the smoke escapes your device no longer works. Overclockers are very clumsy about letting out the blue smoke and sell their processors (depleted of magic) on e-bay under dubious accounts.

Quantum computers will use red smoke (the Rubium cloud). Will we call the hobbiests that push the limits of these machines Quark shakers?

One step closer to my dream...

[Anonymous Coward]

... of mini-mini-golf. Now all I need is a microscopic golf club and an infinitesimal ball and I'm all set.

Re:How many were there?

[meringuoid]

And how many would it take to fill the Albert Hall?

Four thousand.

I was never quite clear on how the holes from Blackburn, Lancs. could possibly fill the Albert Hall. I mean, they're holes - defined as being something not there. How can they fill anything?

Then I discovered marijuana, and understood :-)

If Schroedinger is anything to go by. . .

[oneandoneis2]

. . . won't quantum computers mean an end to binary?

In the old days, a cat in a box was either alive or dead - one or zero, you might say. Nice and easy.

But when it gets quantum? How the hell is a simple machine going to cope when it asks "Is it one or zero?" and gets told "Both"

"We've had to replace 'if' and 'and' with 'maybe' and 'probably'. And 'not' has become obsolete."

Re:Just in time for Lonhorn!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

Probably or probably not. 50/50 either way.

Re:Just in time for Lonhorn!!!

[NinjaFarmer]

So it will run Duke Nukem Forever then?

Re:Wow

[Strange Ranger]

I, for one, can't quite imagine how are they going to stop neutrinos from entering that space...

Simple. They'll just repolarize the quantum invariance field and then bombard it with a tachyon pulse. This creates a standing wave of Heisenberg Flux, which is the only way to be certain the hole is empty.

In related news...

[Etherwalk]

> Scientists at Ohio State University have taken a step toward the development of quantum computers by making tiny holes that contain nothing at all

In related news, Ohio State University has recieved research funding from the NSA to perform Ear Exams on all members of Congress twice a year...

Re:Great principle

[zwilliams07]

the random nature of quantum particles

*enters 1 + 1 into the built-in calculator*
*gets 2,124,972, 421 as an answer*
*enters 1 + 1 again*
*gets 0.0012 as an answer*

-1, Insensitive

[drsquare]

I would love to see a 747 parallel park in Manhattan.

Didn't they try that back in 2001?

The obligatory

[TheAvatar666]

My quantum computer is REALLY fast but I don't know where it is.

Re:Great principle

[poot_rootbeer]

*enters 1 + 1 into the built-in calculator*
*gets 2,124,972, 421 as an answer*
*enters 1 + 1 again*
*gets 0.0012 as an answer*

So the Pentium was a quantum computer?

wait....

[norkakn]

So are these holes real or not??

(if you don't get it, don't mod it)

Damn Butterflies.

[purduephotog]

The problem with the current quantum computer research is there are always butterflies in China flapping their wings ... interfering with the research done in the US.

Nothing

[usacoder]

"by making tiny holes that contain nothing at all. " that reminds me of the old moron test: "how much dirt is a hole 2' x 2' x 2'?"