Progress in quantum optical computing

H. John Caulfield

doi:10.1117/12.140350

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24 April 1992 Progress in quantum optical computing

H. John Caulfield

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Proceedings Volume 1731, Soviet-Chinese Joint Seminar on Holography and Optical Information Processing; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140350
Event: Soviet-Chinese Joint Seminar on Holography and Optical Information Processing, 1991, Bishkek, Kirgizstan, Russian Federation

Abstract

Until recently, the paradigm of computing was the Turing machine and its numerous equivalents. All operations are made with state machines. Each operation is irreversible and brings about an increase of entropy and, therefore, an expenditure of energy of at least kTln2 per bit. We show that optics allows the first practical quantum mechanical digital processors. These processors require digital input and produce digital output but need no intermediate state machines. We show that, in the sense of not requiring material devices which would otherwise be required, nothing is superior to something for computing.

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H. John Caulfield "Progress in quantum optical computing", Proc. SPIE 1731, Soviet-Chinese Joint Seminar on Holography and Optical Information Processing, (24 April 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140350

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