Discovery of a "Flat" Atom Hailed as Quantum Computing Breakthrough 205
msw writes to tell us that nanoelectronics researchers have discovered a new molecule that could act as a state-manipulable atom due to its unique shape and properties. "Imagine a tiny arsenic atom embedded in a tiny strip of silicon atoms. An electric current is applied. Something strange arises on the surface -- an exotic molecule. On one end is the spherical submerged arsenic atom; on the other end is an 'artificial' flat atom, seemingly 2D, created as an artifact. The pair form an exotic molecule, which has a shared electron, which can be manipulated to be at either end, or in an intermediate quantum state."
What do they mean by an "atom"? (Score:5, Insightful)
I suspect that they mean some kind of artifact that behaves like an atom for certain useful purposes, but without explaining what that artifact is and what makes it behave like an atom they're not actually explaining anything.
Re:Sure (Score:4, Insightful)
Uh, two points:
1. There already exists an issue with the amount of toxic chemicals in most computers today.
http://maine.gov/dep/rwm/recycle/computerrecy.htm [maine.gov]
"A typical processor and monitor contain five to eight pounds of lead and heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury and arsenic."
2. When you are dealing with quantum levels a gram of any element has a lot of area to work in and they are suspending the toxic bit with a field of silicon.
"Imagine a tiny arsenic atom embedded in a tiny strip of silicon atoms..."
Re:Meh. (Score:1, Insightful)
I'll settle for two of 'em. Because the picture in the article looks like boob [dailytech.com].
Mod grandparent 'troll', not 'insightful' (Score:0, Insightful)
More like "troll." This is like criticizing someone who salts their fries for adding chlorine to the environment.
Re:Quantum State (Score:1, Insightful)
The indeterminate state is defined as a superposition of the two other states.
So that makes this indeterminate state .5?
Re:Sure (Score:5, Insightful)
There is nothing wrong with using toxic substances. The problem is how you process it, and recycle or dispose of it. I'm sure the car you drive to work has a serious amount of Toxins. We only need to be sure that we allow a proper reclaim process.
A good example is the lead acid battery in your car. You get charged $5 for every new battery that you buy if you don't recycle the old one.
Re:Quantum State (Score:5, Insightful)
qubits have 3 possible states 1 0 and indeterminate.
Not true! Qubits have an infinite number of possible states. Imagine that your classical bit is represented as either an arrow pointing up for 1 and an arrow pointing down as -1. A quantum bit is like an arrow that can be pointed in the up direction, the down direction, or any other direction (it basically constrained to the surface of a sphere).
Re:Quick !! Couple the quantum inverters !!! (Score:1, Insightful)
Whatever it is, its not a troll. Some people should never be given mod points.