Scientists at MIT are developing a new type of computer based on quantum physics.
The system which is still highly experimental promises to be able to solve mathematical problems that are beyond the reach of even today's supercomputers.
The MIT research team will present a paper in June, explaining how they plan to use research into photons as the basis for an experiment that could lead to far more powerful computers. Although the idea of a computer based on quantum technology is by no means new, building a working quantum machine has proved difficult.
MIT's experiment will use a large number of photons. These will pass through beam splitters and hit photon detectors. Earlier research into quantum physics found that if two identical light particles hit the splitter at the same time, both would either go left, or both would go right. If the MIT team can build a statistical model for which path the photons take, then this could be used as the basis for massively complex calculations.
Researchers concede that it could take years to develop a workable prototype, and more work still to build a viable, production quantum computer. The MIT paper is based, in turn, on research that was carried out at the University of Calgary as far back as 1987. However, more recent developments, such as new designs for optical chips, makes it easier for researchers to control the photons' paths.
The prize, though, would be significant. According to associate professor of computer science Scott Aaronson, who is leading the research, an experimental quantum computer based on 100 photons would be more powerful than all the world's current computers.
Other researchers have suggested work on quantum computers is vital, as [a href="https://www.itpro.com/623965/where-will-quantum-computing-take-us" target="_blank'}conventional computer designs will run out of potential[/a] within the next decade.
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