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Writer's picturemansour ansari

Instead of building a quantum computer, to let chemistry build it for us


Stephan Sullivan

An artist’s representation shows the researchers’ quantum functional groups (brightly colored spheres) connecting with larger molecules. See the original image and article here

If we ever make it to the Quantum Supremacy era, we can do amazing things for humanity. In the long term, quantum computers could provide unbreakable encryption and simulations of nature beyond today's capabilities. Currently, we have quantum calculation engines based on superconducting material, ion trapping, photonics, and so on. There is a new possibility, an exciting one.


A UCLA and Harvard research team has now developed a fundamentally new strategy for building this new quantum computer concept.


So, how does it work?


While the current state of the art employs circuits, semiconductors, and other tools of electrical engineering, the team has produced a game plan based on chemists' ability to custom-design atomic building blocks that control the properties of larger molecular structures when they're put together. It is a difficult concept to digest, but after reading the findings published last week in Nature Chemistry, I see it a bit more clear. According to these scientists, it is possible (including the proof) that findings ultimately lead to a major leap, a new advancement in quantum calculation potential.


"The idea is, instead of building a quantum computer, to let chemistry build it for us," said Eric Hudson, UCLA's David S. Saxon Presidential Professor of Physics and corresponding author of the study. "All of us are still learning the rules for this type of quantum technology, so this work is very sci-fi right now."

When two particles interact, they can become linked, or entangled, so measuring the properties of one determines the properties of the other. In quantum computing, the Entangling qubits are a requirement of quantum computing.



UCLA-led physics-chemistry team wins $2.7 million award for quantum computing


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