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Giant Atom | |
When it comes to quantum mechanics, I try to avoid writing about purely theoretical results. This is especially true of quantum computing, where, in the not-too-distant past, every researcher would put their names to papers describing a new way to make a quantum computer. Then people started playing with the real thing, and suddenly the theory-side held fewer attractions. But every now and again, one of these ideas makes me mash my hands on the keyboard. | |
Today, it's Rydberg atoms and how to make a quantum computer from them. It's a bit far-fetched, but given the detail of the calculations, it's probably something that will turn up in a couple of years. And when it turns up, it will not be like previous quantum computers, which started testing with one or two qubits. A Rydberg computer should start out at 10-12 qubits. | |
Forbidden transition | |
To turn a Rydberg atom into a qubit (a qubit is a bit of quantum information), you choose two of these energetic states as logic one and logic zero. In this cas |