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Physics and the Information Revolution

JAN 01, 2000
Quantum physics holds the key to the further advance of computing in the postsilicon era.
Joel Birnbaum
R. Stanley Williams

In the fourth century BC, a young man named Pythias was condemned to death by Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse, for plotting against him, but Pythias was granted three days’ leave to go home to settle his family’s affairs after his friend Damon agreed to take his place and be executed should Pythias not return. Pythias encountered many problems but managed to return just in time to save Damon. Dionysius was so struck by this remarkable and honorable friendship that he released them both.

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More about the authors

Joel Birnbaum, Hewlett‐Packard, Palo Alto, California.

R. Stanley Williams, Hewlett‐Packard Laboratories.

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This Content Appeared In
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Volume 53, Number 1

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