"Quantum Computing May Seem Too Far Out, But Don't Count on It"

Wall Street Journal (04/25/05); Gomes, Lee

Quantum computing is making the transition from impractical science fiction concept to a subject taught in computer-science classes, even though the science is still mostly theoretical. Most quantum researchers believe it will be impossible for computer chip manufacturers to keep pace with Moore's Law without quantum computing, although Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, who formulated the law, doubts that a practical quantum computer will ever be constructed given the complexity of the physics involved. The quantum computing equivalent to bits of information, qubits, can represent either a 0 or a 1, or every possible number between 0 and 1 simultaneously when they are unobserved; in addition, qubits can be connected and experience shared effects. Researchers have shown that a quantum computer can decode in a few seconds an encrypted message that would take an average computer an astronomically long time to decipher, though the quantum system would require thousands of qubits to accomplish this feat. Lawrence Berkeley Lab physicist Thomas Schenkel intends to fabricate a qubit from a phosphorus atom that is precisely deposited on a pure silicon wafer; the up or down "spin" of such atoms correspond to the 0 or 1 necessary for computing. Schenkel has successfully deposited one or two atoms on the wafer, although communicating with the qubit, coaxing a reply out of it, or linking it to other qubits, is further down the road. Quantum computing research such as Schenkel's is the focus of a class taught at the University of California, Berkeley.

I hope within 20 years that quantum computers are in every house hold. Imagine the gaming that can be accomplished. It will be real time rendering, with everything looking realistic. The speed however, may be our down fall, how will we be able to keep everything encrypted. The whole concept behind cryptography is that it will take several months to years to decipher a "secured" message. That is probably one reason I never cared to much for cryptography. The whole point is to make is so complicated that there is only one solution that can be used for decrypting. Personally I rather look into a more secure way of deciphering.