This press release is a horrible bastardization of this cool Science article describing the coherent controlled coupling of flux based superconducting qubits near their optimal bias points. Does everything interesting in quantum computing have to come along with an unreasonable press release? Dude, somebody needs to become the universal vetter for these damn things.
Geordie incites Scott‘s hypometer, but not nearly to the record setting levels of Orion times.
Seen in Hawaii
But are smoking dogs which are not golfing okay? What about dogs which are golfing, but not smoking?
On the Road Again
5/7: MIT Quantum Information Processing seminar series (4pm in 26-214)
Title: Quantum Algorithms Using Clebsch-Gordan Transforms
Abstract: In nearly every quantum algorithm which exponentially outperfroms the best classical algorithm the quantum Fourier transform plays a central role. Recently, however, cracks in the quantum Fourier transform paradigm have begun to emerge. In this talk I will discuss one such development which arises in a new efficient quantum algorithm for the Heisenberg hidden subgroup problem. In particular I will show how considerations of symmetry for this hidden subgroup problem lead naturally to a different transform than the quantum Fourier transform, the Clebsch-Gordan transform over the Heisenberg group. Clebsch-Gordan transforms over finite groups thus appear to be an important new tool for those attempting to find new quantum algorithms. [Part of this work was done in collaboration with Andrew Childs (Caltech) and Wim van Dam (UCSB)]
5/10: University of Oregon Physics Seminar (4pm in 100 Willamette)
Title: When Physicists Build Quantum Algorithms
Abstract: Our universe is a quantum universe, obeying the laws of quantum theory to high precision. Thus it makes perfect sense to base the most fundamental model of a computer (which is, of course, nothing more than a physical device obeying the laws of physics) upon gadgets which respect the laws of quantum theory. Such “quantum computers” have attracted widespread attention over the last decade, in large part due to the ability of these computers to break modern cryptosystems and to outperform classical computers at certain algorithmic tasks. An important grand challenge for quantum computing these days is to find new quantum algorithms which outperform their classical counterparts. As a physicist, however, you may wonder, “what role can I play in coming up with new quantum algorithms, I’m just a pragmatic physicist?” In this talk I will give examples of new quantum algorithms inspired and devised by physicists, using tools and techniques which are near and dear to most physicists. These new quantum algorithms suggest that there is much that physics can contribute to the theory of quantum computing algorithms.
5/16: Perimeter Institute Quantum Discussions (4pm in room 405):
Title: Quantum Algorithms Using Clebsch-Gordan Transforms
Abstract: In nearly every quantum algorithm which exponentially outperfroms the best classical algorithm the quantum Fourier transform plays a central role. Recently, however, cracks in the quantum Fourier transform paradigm have begun to emerge. In this talk I will discuss one such development which arises in a new efficient quantum algorithm for the Heisenberg hidden subgroup problem. In particular I will show how considerations of symmetry for this hidden subgroup problem lead naturally to a different transform than the quantum Fourier transform, the Clebsch-Gordan transform over the Heisenberg group. Clebsch-Gordan transforms over finite groups thus appear to be an important new tool for those attempting to find new quantum algorithms. [Part of this work was done in collaboration with Andrew Childs (Caltech) and Wim van Dam (UCSB)]
And I’m not even interview for jobs 😉 And look, I’ve got the same title and abstract for my MIT and Perimeter talks. Been a long time since I gave the same talk twice. From past experience the jokes are bad in both talks 🙂
Beware of Roaming Complexity Classes?
Ack am I missing something or is the Complexity Zoo missing most of its inhabitants? Crap I don’t want to get run over by a loose AM! Update 5/2, 2:50pm Whew. That’s more like it. All the complexity classes now seem to be back in the zoo. Most disturbing, of course, was the missing ALL beast. End Update
On a more amusing front, this page on the qwiki is depressing, no?:
Articles in category “Faculty Position”
There are 0 articles in this category.
Retrieved from “http://qwiki.caltech.edu/wiki/Category:Faculty_Position”
Once I Was a Physicist
I’ve always (not really 🙂 ) dreamed of being in Physics Today (and not in the obituary section!), but I never imagined that when it happened I would be called a computer scientist! From Physics Today, Aprill 2007 edition, in the web watch box (sorry subscribers only!):
Scirate
Dave Bacon, a computer scientist at the University of Washington, has devised a way to filter the torrent of preprints from arXiv and other servers. His experimental website, Scirate, works like flickr and other social websites. Individual users rank the preprints they come across. Scirate then gathers those rankings and lists the preprints according to their popularity.
http://scirate.com
My apologies to all you real computer scientists for whom calling me a computer scientist is very much quite an insult!
AQIS 2007, Kyoto, Japan
Come to Japan! See who can eat more sushi, Dave or Scott?
Asian Conference on Quantum Information Science
September 3-6, 2007
Shiran Kaikan, Kyoto University
Webpage http://qc.naist.jp/aqis07. Poster here.
Bloggedy, Blog, Blog
A new quantum computing blog: nextquant. Also Strange Paths.
Quantum Missile Command
My new favorite quantum hyperbole:
Handed to generals, a quantum computer might transform an ordinary nation into an instant superpower. Dozens of incoming missiles could be tracked at once.
Ketchup-ing
Things that happened while I was off the edge of the Interwebs:
- Cormac McCarthy (my office neighbor while I was at the Santa Fe Institute) won the Pulitzer for fiction for his novel The Road
. Cormac is also (amazingly!) giving an interview on Oprah, which is almost as amazing as Pynchon appearing on the Simpsons.
- A new branch campus for the University of Washington is moving forward. This is a compromise over a previous attempt by the city of Everett to establish an independent polytechnic, which they hypothetically called the “Washington Institute of Technology” (WIT…you have to have a sense of humor to teach there?) This will bring to four the number of posts I have under the category of WIT.
- Quantum inteference in photosynthesis
- Earth-like planet discovered only twenty light years away. (Probably) five times
the size ofas massive as the Earth. If we send off an expedition today, by the time we arrive we should have been able to evolve to survive in thefive timeshigher gravity? - Papers scirate wants me to read while I was away: 0704.3432, 0704.2529, 0704.2575, 0704.2575, 0704.2241, and 0704.3142.
- A horrible title for a Nature blurb, “Quantum cryptography is hacked,” about an experiment performed at MIT (Phys. Rev. A, 75, 042327.) Notice how an inacurate title leads to all sorts of bad follow ups. That’s almost egregious enough to induce a Rage Against Doofosity!
Married!
April 15, 2007 in Ashland, Oregon