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Science & Technology

Scientists 'reverse time' with quantum computer

By T.K. Randall
March 13, 2019 · Comment icon 21 comments

One step closer to Back to the Future ? Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Ed g2s
The remarkable achievement has been likened to having a scattered rack of pool balls rewind back in to place.
The world of quantum physics can be baffling at the best of times and this latest accomplishment, which was achieved by a team of scientists from Russia, Switzerland and the US, is no exception.

The experiment involved the use of a rudimentary quantum computer made up of quibits - basic units of information that can either be one, zero or a mixture (superposition) of both.

An 'evolution program' was run to scatter the quibits in to increasingly complex patterns - a process comparable to a rack of pool balls being struck by the cue ball and scattered across the table.

To achieve 'time reversal', the scientists then used a separate program to modify the state of the quantum computer so that the quibits were then returned to their original ordered state.
In our pool analogy - this would be like all the balls unscattering and re-forming in to a perfect triangle.

"We have artificially created a state that evolves in a direction opposite to that of the thermodynamic arrow of time," said lead researcher Dr Gordey Lesovik.

While the breakthrough is unlikely to make Doc Brown's time-traveling DeLorean a reality anytime soon, it should ultimately prove invaluable in the field of quantum computing.

The next step will be to reduce the error rate by improving the sophistication of the technology.

"Our algorithm could be updated and used to test programs written for quantum computers and eliminate noise and errors," said Dr Lesovik.

Source: Independent | Comments (21)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #12 Posted by Piney 5 years ago
I just watched this and the only thing I don't agree with is it doesn't account for a "Big Collapse" or "Universal Reset". Galaxies are drawn together as the Universe expands. Wouldn't there be a "big lump" at the end which produces another "super singularity"? Which then "bangs" again?
Comment icon #13 Posted by danydandan 5 years ago
The videos are on what we know, Big Collapse or Resetting are hypothetical at this stage. I'm a fan of Rodgers Penrose and conformal cyclic cosmology, but alot of people disagree with it. Again that hypothetical too.
Comment icon #14 Posted by Piney 5 years ago
Cyclic cosmology fits with Japanese Buddhist and Native theology. I'll have to check the Uni library on his works and do some reading. 
Comment icon #15 Posted by danydandan 5 years ago
It's very hard to read Rodger Penrose he's a true mathematician and writtes like one.
Comment icon #16 Posted by Saru 5 years ago
Sadly I don't think physically traveling in to the past is ever going to be possible. Seeing in to the past, as we do when looking at distant stars, however, is another matter entirely.
Comment icon #17 Posted by and then 5 years ago
I'd really like to be able to grasp the concept but I usually just end up with a headache    
Comment icon #18 Posted by Piney 5 years ago
We're really looking at "old light". Because it takes a long time to reach us. But in a way, yes.
Comment icon #19 Posted by TripGun 5 years ago
#include stdio.h int main() { int x; for(x=0;x=10;x=x+1) { puts("What are you lookin' at?"); } return(0); }
Comment icon #20 Posted by ChrLzs 5 years ago
I wonder if it is the media or the scientists or both who decided on the clickbait approach..? This will just reinforce the ridiculous notions of those who are convinced their belief in the paranormal is explained by the magic word quantum.  Apparently, Quantum-ness explains spirits, ghosts, interdimensionality, FTL speeds, telepathy, psychokinesis, teleportation and of course time travel. All you need is to read the headlines - don't bother with the details...  
Comment icon #21 Posted by Imaginarynumber1 5 years ago
It's all the media  


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