D-Wave Systems, a Canadian manufacturer, announced what they call “the worlds first commercially viable quantum computer.” While this gives hope for the future, D-Wave admitted not knowing whether the machine is performing calculations on a true quantum level. 

A true quantum computer is classified as any computational device that makes use of distinct quantum mechanical phenomena to process data. In a quantum environment, data is measured by qubits, as opposed to bits.

D-Wave’s quantum computer, Orion, is based on a silicon chip that houses 16 qubits, equal to one bit in standard computing. Orion uses an analog processor to tap into the quantum level for computing data.

D-Wave introduced the quantum computer at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA on Tuesday. Herb Martin, CEO of D-Wave, noted, “it (Orion) does mark the end of the beginning of quantum computers.”

At the introduction, CTO Geordie Rose had the computer solve such problems as Sudoku puzzles and calculate seating charts based on brainteasing seating requirements. In a more interesting demo, Rose had the computer find similar molecules that had a mutual resemblance to the drug Prilosec. Orion quickly spit out “Nexium,” which is near identical molecule.

The demo computer was not actually in California; the company claimed it was way too sensitive to transport, and had a device that accessed it remotely.

Many scientists are skeptical about the way Orion actually processes data, claiming that the privately held company, D-Wave, has not submitted their findings for review; however, Martin says all evidence that his company holds indicates that the device is performing quantum computations, but he wasn’t certain enough to rule out the possibility that Orion is a true quantum computer. Martin noted that he will release his findings in a journal some time in the near future.

It is widely believed that if quantum computers can be built on a larger scale, they will be able to solve specific problems exponentially faster than any standard computer. “Users don’t care about quantum computing – users care about application acceleration. That’s our thrust,” Martin said. “A general purpose quantum computer is a waste of time. You could spend hundreds of billions of dollars on it and not create a working computer.”

D-Wave plans to create an online prototype that will allow users to enter problems for the quantum computer to solve, and they hope to have a 1,000 qubit version available for purchase next year.

Related:

Entry was posted on Wednesday, February 14th, 2007 at 3:10 pm under Technology.

Read more entries by George Gardner.
Stumble It!