Realizing a Quantum Computer: Quantum Dot Logic Gates Created
Two studies/papers on constructing quantum dot logic gates have been published. The first one is by a team of engineers and physicists from Stanford University and the Univerisity of California. The other is by a team from the Institute of Quantum Electronics at (ETH)–Zürich and the University of Cambridge.
The two teams used different methods but both were able to create quantum dot logic gates. Both teams basically created a gate by manipulating a pair of quantum dots and exploiting their interactions from an outside force, e.g. measurement of one quantum dot or firing beams (the article didn’t say what type of beam, though). As the effects–phase shift–have a correlation with the ‘amount’ of stimuli, the reactions of the quantum dots can be controlled.
Boom; there you go, we have a logic gate. A known measure of input produces a known and predictable measure of output.
First only proven on a theoretical level, quantum computing is now gradually gaining practical applications. Before long, a viable, quantum computer will be built.
Click here for a more detailed article on the two papers (via ArsTechnica)
