Quantum computer can be built by paradox

An Aussie scientist has worked out that the best way to build a quantum computer is to use an off-the-shelf paradox.

According to Phys.org, for years, engineers trying to build a quantum computers have said it is impossible because of all the noise, presumably made by all those cats which are neither dead nor alive.

Dr André Carvalho, from the ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology and the Research School of Physics and Engineering wondered if the fact that the noise made it impossible to work, then, in quantum terms it should be the very thing that makes it work. QED.

He wrote that to correct errors in a quantum computer noise levels need to be really low. This is tricky at the atomic levels which are extremely sensitive to noise.

However, his answer was to add even more noise to the system and keep a close eye on it and intervene.

Carvalho said it was all down to monkeys rather than cats. If you let a monkey type randomly on a typewriter, eventually a Shakespearean play could come out. But if the monkey types the right character in a particular position, you protect that position, so that any others typing there will not affect the desired character.

He said by choosing smart ways to detect the random events, it can drive the system to implement any desired computation in the system in a finite time.

Such technology development is important. Dr Carvalho said if a quantum computer existed now, we could solve problems that are exceptionally difficult on current computers, such as cracking codes underlying internet transactions.

And removing the dependence on quantum cats to more reliable – and genetically familiar – monkeys.