| Figuring out how to harness this power is one of | | | | Researchers are lookinginto the concept of |
| today's hottest areas of computer research. The | | | | quantum computers -- computers capable of |
| Dedicated Notebook Computer Research Project | | | | performing calculations billions of times faster than |
| reflects Microsoft's fundamental goal to help build | | | | any of today's silicon-based devices. "The |
| digital literacy for all by improving access to | | | | computers we use today operate under the |
| technology. | | | | principles of classical physics. "Quantum |
| Computer | | | | computers, however, operate under the principle |
| The Stanford University Center for Computer | | | | of quantum mechanics, which are governed by |
| Research in Music and Acoustics is a | | | | the properties of atoms and molecules. "It's really |
| multi-disciplinary facility where composers and | | | | the next frontier in computer technology. |
| researchers work together using computer-based | | | | "Calculations that take months for the fastest |
| technology both as an artistic medium and as a | | | | super-computer to process can be performed in |
| research tool. The Directory of Top Computer | | | | seconds by a quantum computer. "Desktop |
| Executives database of IT executives is available | | | | computers work one step at a time, performing |
| in a variety of formats to fit the individual needs. | | | | one task before moving on to the next, which |
| That vision will include the development and | | | | makes for rather slow processing. Quantum |
| maintenance of open-source software | | | | computers can work on a million Calculations at |
| infrastructures that are portable across a wide | | | | once. |
| range of supercomputer architectures. Scientists | | | | "A conventional digital computer's bits exist either |
| at the University of Manchester have made a | | | | as a zero or a one. These qubits become |
| breakthrough that could pave the way for a new | | | | entangled with other qubits, which is how quantum |
| type of high-speed computer. If built, quantum | | | | computers get their speed. They can factor large |
| computers would be the most powerful | | | | numbers very fast, they are extremely useful in |
| computers ever made, with speeds millions of | | | | decoding and encoding information. If a quantum |
| times faster than the average PC for some | | | | computer were built today, no information on the |
| types of calculations. This breakthrough, which | | | | Internet would be safe. "Searching large |
| results from three years research, opens the | | | | databases can also be done in a fraction of the |
| possibility of being able to create quantum gates | | | | time it would take a conventional computer. So |
| -- a more advanced version of processors found | | | | how long will it be before quantum computers |
| in modern computers. "This is the start in terms | | | | make the most powerful desktop computers of |
| of the development of a quantum computer, but | | | | today look like turtles. "If you consider that |
| now that we have shown we can do this, it gives | | | | today's laptops and personal digital assistants are |
| us clear targets. | | | | the offspring of the simple computers developed |
| Army and the National Science Foundation is to | | | | decades ago, the idea of a quantum computer |
| study the feasibility of quantum computers. | | | | very soon doesn't seem unrealistic. |