Re: quantum computing

[Thu-Huong Tran <tran@robles.callutheran.edu>]

I think it means that, instead of doing digital 
switching with electrons flowing through a junction 
when a transistor is "on", or not flowing when the
transistor is "off", the quantum computer is instead
using single quanta (like, one photon of light is a 
quanta of light energy) going, or not going to a 
certain receiver.  It is still digital, but each digit
is very small, but also very fast (the speed of light).
Therefore, being small and fast, lots of data can be 
stored in ram or memory, and computation speed is very
high.  A typical quantum computer might not work with 
electrons at all (except for input and output to periferals), 
but instead work with photons of light across optical 
junctions that either let a photon through, or not --
the "on" and the "off" state.  Hope this helps.

TH
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At 01:17 PM 4/8/97 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Hi all,
>
>Could anybody explain to me how a quantum computer works, and why it is 
>powerful (at least at thereotical level). Basic level concept is needed,
>since I am not clear what "quantum " means.
>
>Thanks a lot.
>
>Van
>
>