Google’s plan for quantum computer supremacy

Brace yourselves! As early as next year, Google may introduce a record-breaking quantum computer that can outperform supercomputers at certain tasks, New Scientist reports. Last month, Google's engineers quietly published a paper detailing their plans ;) Paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/1608.00263 So how will they do it? Quantum computers process data as quantum bits, or qubits. Unlike classical bits, these can store a mixture of both 0 and 1 at the same time, thanks to the principle of quantum superposition. It’s this potential that gives quantum computers the edge at certain problems, like factoring large numbers. But ordinary computers are also pretty good at such tasks. Showing quantum computers are better would require thousands of qubits, which is far beyond our current technical ability. Instead, Google wants to claim the prize with just 50 qubits. That’s still an ambitious goal – publicly, they have only announced a 9-qubit computer – but one within reach. Read the article: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23130894-000-revealed-googles-plan-for-quantum-computer-supremacy/ Photo: A quantum computer developed by D-Wave Systems #quantumcomputer #google #science #physics #research #engineering  Photo

Big step for quantum teleportation

If you're wondering how it's even possible to shoot a gun underwater, gunpowder contains oxygen — a key element in the firing process — the gun still goes off exactly as it would on land. Water is 800 times denser than air, so unlike a bullet fired above the surface, once the bullet hits the water it immediately begins slowing down. Reference: http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/outrageous-acts-of-science/videos/firing-a-gun-underwater/ Watch researcher fire weapon at himself - underwater- in terrifying physics experiment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzm_yyl13yo #science #underwaterbullets #physics