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I like optical quantum computing, it feels hands on, like it's almost something you could build in your garage. Linear optical quantum computers just need waveg
by foxes 8y ago
I like optical quantum computing, it feels hands on, like it's almost something you could build in your garage. Linear optical quantum computers just need waveguides, beam splitters, phase shifters and mirrors (no disrespect - I know it's not trivial to make work). You set up your circuit and fire your light through it and measure the system at the end.
It's a nice way to think about quantum computing. You aren't allowed to do any measurements half way or you will destroy your superposition. It's a bit like a pure function, no IO allowed until the very end.
Also I know three of the people on the paper, good to see them getting some mainstream attention for a nice result.
- vtomole 8y ago> You aren't allowed to do any measurements half way or you will destroy your superposition. This is true of all quantum computations. It doesn't matter what the underlying hardware is.
- de_watcher 8y ago> This is true of all quantum computations. And also for half of my non-quantum debugging...
- foxes 8y agoYes you are right, I wasnt clear, just that it seems nicer to visualise as a physical thing in an optical circuit. Also remember that you have to perform measurement multiple times. It produces a probability distribution, so you need to be confident you have the right answer.
- Strilanc 8y agoIt's actually extremely common for quantum algorithms to have measurement operations halfway through. But they apply to individual qubits, not the whole system. For example, error corrected quantum computation involves continuously measuring particular stabilizers in order to catch when they flip. Another example: measurement can reduce the cost of uncomputation (e.g. [1]). [1]: https://quantum-journal.org/papers/q-2018-06-18-74/ https://quantum-journal.org/papers/q-2018-06-18-74/
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- deepnotderp 8y agoI also like photonic quantum computing. Unfortunately the success rate of two photon quantum gates is crushingly low.