Published 2013 | Version v1
Journal article

Methodological testing: Are fast quantum computers illusions?

Creators

  • 1. Tachyon Design Automation, San Francisco, CA (United States)

Description

Popularity of the idea for computers constructed from the principles of QM started with Feynman's 'Lectures On Computation', but he called the idea crazy and dependent on statistical mechanics. In 1987, Feynman published a paper in 'Quantum Implications - Essays in Honor of David Bohm' on negative probabilities which he said gave him cultural shock. The problem with imagined fast quantum computers (QC) is that speed requires both statistical behavior and truth of the mathematical formalism. The Swedish Royal Academy 2012 Nobel Prize in physics press release touted the discovery of methods to control ''individual quantum systems'', to ''measure and control very fragile quantum states'' which enables ''first steps towards building a new type of super fast computer based on quantum physics.'' A number of examples where widely accepted mathematical descriptions have turned out to be problematic are examined: Problems with the use of Oracles in P=NP computational complexity, Paul Finsler's proof of the continuum hypothesis, and Turing's Enigma code breaking versus William tutte's Colossus. I view QC research as faith in computational oracles with wished for properties. Arther Fine's interpretation in 'The Shaky Game' of Einstein's skepticism toward QM is discussed. If Einstein's reality as space-time curvature is correct, then space-time computers will be the next type of super fast computer.

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft
Journal Issue
Jena 2013 issue
Series
Also available as printed version: Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft v. 48(1)
Journal Page Range
[1 p.]
ISSN
0420-0195
CODEN
VDPEAZ

Conference

Title
DPG Spring meeting 2013 with the divisions physics education, extraterrestrial physics, history of physics, relativity and gravitation (together with the Astronomical Society), short-time physics, plasma physics, theoretical and mathematical foundations of physics, environmental physics and the philosophy of physics working group
Original Conference Title
DPG-Fruehjahrstagung 2013 der Fachverbaende Didaktik der Physik, Extraterrestrische Physik, Geschichte der Physik, Gravitation und Relativitaetstheorie (zusammen mit der Astronomischen Gesellschaft), Kurzzeitphysik, Plasmaphysik, Theoretische und Mathematische Grundlagen der Physik, Umweltphysik, sowie der Arbeitsgruppe Philosophie der Physik
Dates
25 Feb - 1 Mar 2013
Place
Jena (Germany)

INIS

Country of Publication
Germany
Country of Input or Organization
Germany
INIS RN
45049921
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS; METRICS; QUANTUM COMPUTERS; QUANTUM MECHANICS; QUANTUM STATES; SPACE-TIME; SUPERCOMPUTERS
Descriptors DEC
COMPUTERS; DIGITAL COMPUTERS; MECHANICS

Optional Information

Notes
Session: AGPhil 9.2 Mi 14:30; No further information available