3 ms·
Read Scott Aaronson's take at https://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=5122 https://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=5122 To answer your question: > Is BosonSamplin
by oefrha 6y ago
Read Scott Aaronson's take at https://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=5122 https://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=5122
To answer your question:
> Is BosonSampling at least a step toward universal quantum computing? I think so! In 2000, Knill, Laflamme, and Milburn (KLM) famously showed that pure, non-interacting photons, passing through a network of beamsplitters, are capable of universal QC, provided we assume one extra thing: namely, the ability to measure the photons at intermediate times, and change which beamsplitters to apply to the remaining photons depending on the outcome. In other words, “BosonSampling plus adaptive measurements equals universality.” Basically, KLM is the holy grail that experimental optics groups around the world have been working toward for 20 years, with BosonSampling just a more achievable pit stop along the way.
So this is at least possibly on track to universality.
- andrewon 6y agoIf I understand correctly, this is more like an experimental milestone towards an photonic approach to QC. The system is not programmable and cannot be consider as a computer. The article sounds more like the team has demonstrated construction of a better quantum computer than Google's.
- blackrock 6y agoWhat if you can reprogram the beam splitters to move into different positions? Say the beam splitters can be actuated to different positions and angles automatically via code. Then you can build a general purpose rig, that can be reprogrammed to solve different quantum functions. Then you can build clones of this rig. And stack them up in racks. And have thousands of racks. Now you have a super quantum computer system. Then you can begin to miniaturizing the system. The Chinese quantum supremacy solution only solved one problem. But I would gather that the beam splitters can be modified to solve other quantum functions.