[The NMR implementation of quantum algorithm].
A quantum computer is a device that processes information in a quantum-mechanically coherent fashion. In principle, it can exploit coherent quantum interference and entanglement to perform computations, such as factoring large numbers or searching an unsorted database, more rapidly than classical computers. Noise, decoherence, and manufacturing problems make constructing large scale quantum computers difficult. Ion traps and optical cavities offer promising experimental approaches, but no quantum algorithm has yet been implemented with those systems. On the other hand, because of their natural isolation from the environment, nuclear spins are particularly good 'quantum bits', and their use for quantum computation is possible by applying nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques in an unconventional manner. Here, we report on the experimental implementation of a quantum algorithm using NMR to solve a purely mathematical problem in fewer steps than is possible classically. Our simple quantum computer can determine the type of an unknown function using fewer function 'calls' than is possible using a classical computer.
Luo
Xue-mei
XM
Testing and Computer Instruction Center, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China.
D000465:Algorithms; D003205:Computing Methodologies; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D011789:Quantum Theory