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Quantum breakthrough could revolutionise computing

Computer scientists have been trying to make an effective quantum computer for more than 20 years. Firms such as Google, IBM and Microsoft have developed simple machines. But, according to Prof. Winfried Hensinger, who led the research at Sussex University, the new development paves the way for systems that can solve complex real world problems that the best computers we have today are incapable of.

“Right now we have quantum computers with very simple microchips," he said. "What we have achieved here is the ability to realise extremely powerful quantum computers capable of solving some of the most important problems for industries and society.”

Currently, computers solve problems in a simple linear way, one calculation at a time. In the quantum realm, particles can be in two places at the same time and researchers want to harness this property to develop computers that can do multiple calculations all at the same time.

Quantum particles can also be millions of miles apart and be strangely connected, mirroring each other's actions instantaneously. Again, that could also be used to develop much more powerful computers.

One stumbling block has been the need to transfer quantum information between chips quickly and reliably: the information degrades, and errors are introduced. But Prof. Hensinger's team has made a breakthrough, published in the journal Nature Communications, which may have overcome that obstacle.

The team developed a system able to transport information from one chip to another with a reliability of 99.999993% at record speeds. That, say the researchers, shows that in principle chips could be slotted together to make a more powerful quantum computer.

GHOSH, Pallab. Quantum breakthrough could revolutionise computing. BBC News (online). 08 Fev. 2023 (adaptado).

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