Quantum computer solves problem without running

[EGarrett]

These make no sense.

Where's Carl Sagan when you need him?

 

[IIRichard]

If a quantum computer can run a program to a solution before it's turned on, how does it know which problem to solve?

Or does it solve ALL problems simultaneously? Does the answer iclude the term 42?

IIRichard

 

[Apex Rogers]

If a quantum computer can run a program to a solution before it's turned on, how does it know which problem to solve?

Or does it solve ALL problems simultaneously? Does the answer iclude the term 42?

IIRichard

It can get the answer all right, it's determining the question that'll take a while

 

[EGarrett]

::scratches head::

So, in my ignorance of quantum mechanics...it seems to be saying that the mere possibility that the algorithim can be run means that it is correct, so you don't have to actually RUN the algorithim?

Like asking "is it possible for the computer to correctly compute that 1 + 1 = 2" without having to actually have the computer process the problem?

Someone who can actually write in plain english...help.

 

[Tez]

I havent got time at the moment to write a long explanation. If you do a search for the explanations of "Interaction Free Measurement" (IFM, also called "Quantum interrogation") you will hopefully find some good writeups - IFM shows how to use quantum mechanics to detect the presence of a bomb which is so sensitive that even a single photon touching it will cause it to explode! What happens in this computation scenario is basically that the bomb gets replaced by a quantum computer. So if you understand the IFM you're well on the way to understanding this computational stuff...

 

[Hellbound]

So if you understand the IFM you're well on the way to understanding this computational stuff...

And this, my friends, is what we in the business like to call "the catch"

 

[ZirconBlue]

Still...
I'm pretty sure I read an article about this topic a few years ago which was supposed to be a hoax. Of course, I might be wrong. I guess I'd need a quantum computer to find that article now.

Perhaps you are remembering this article:

Haggar Physicists Develop 'Quantum Slacks'
June 6, 2001 | Issue 37•21

DALLAS–At a press conference Monday, Haggar physicists announced the successful development of "Quantum Slacks," attractive, wrinkle-free pants that paradoxically behave like both formal and casual wear.

"With this breakthrough, pants enter a whole new dimension," said Dr. Daniel Chang, head of the Haggar team. "Conventional notions about the properties and possibilities of slacks have been completely turned on their head."

[snip]

 

[Nucular]

It all sounds very nice. I don't actually believe any of it, and probably won't until a quantum computer is sitting on my desktop.

But how will you know even then? Look inside the box?

It'll undoubtedly contain a cat, but alive or dead, you won't be able to tell if it was both moments before. And you'll have broken your £10,000 toy - no Quantum Doom for you.

Sceptics - when will they learn?