qubits

Physicists have been taking baby steps toward creating a full-fledged quantum computer faster and more powerful than any computer in existence, by making quantum processors capable of performing individual tasks. Now a group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed the world's first universal programmable quantum computer that can run any program that's possible under the rules of quantum mechanics.

The shambling, shuffling, marathon march towards making a quantum computer has just skipped ahead a few steps with the first successful transference of information between two particles of matter. While earlier work with photons proved the feasibility of quantum processing, this experiment represents the first-ever creation of quantum memory.

Much like cold fusion, nano-computing always seems ten years off. The years go by, technology advances, but the goal doesn’t seem to get any closer. Last week, however, a team of Purdue University scientists reported overcoming a major hurdle in the path to creating a functional quantum computer.