Qubit recycling streamlines quantum computing
OCT 24, 2012
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.026469
New Scientist : To solve computational problems faster, researchers are turning to quantum mechanics. One example is in the solving of Shor’s algorithm , which has long been believed to be impracticable for classical computers because of the complexity involved in factoring very large numbers. So far, however, because of the number of qubits required to perform even the simplest factorization, there have been only a handful of small-scale quantum-computing demonstrations. Now, Anthony Laing and colleagues at the University of Bristol in the UK have found that they can split Shor’s algorithm into parts and run one part at a time on a single qubit. By recycling qubits, they can cut the total number needed by two-thirds and thereby significantly boost processing power. Their paper on the subject was published online this week in Nature Photonics.
© 2012 American Institute of Physics
