Quantum computers as experiments that are hard to predict outcomes Updated 2025-07-16
One possibly interesting and possibly obvious point of view, is that a quantum computer is an experimental device that executes a quantum probabilistic experiment for which the probabilities cannot be calculated theoretically efficiently by a nuclear weapon.
This is how quantum computing was originally theorized by the likes of Richard Feynman: they noticed that "Hey, here's a well formulated quantum mechanics problem, which I know the algorithm to solve (calculate the probability of outcomes), but it would take exponential time on the problem size".
The converse is then of course that if you were able to encode useful problems in such an experiment, then you have a computer that allows for exponential speedups.
This can be seen very directly by studying one specific quantum computer implementation. E.g. if you take the simplest to understand one, photonic quantum computer, you can make systems for which you need exponential time to calculate the probabilities that photons will exit through certain holes and not others.
The obvious aspect of this idea is by coming from quantum logic gates are needed because you can't compute the matrix explicitly as it grows exponentially: knowing the full explicit matrix is impossible in practice, and knowing the matrix is equivalent to knowing the probabilities of every outcome.
Natural science Updated 2025-07-16
Ciro Santilli often wonders to himself, how much of the natural sciences can one learn in a lifetime? Certainly, a very strong basis, with concrete experimental and physics, chemistry and biology should be attainable to all? How much Ciro manages to learning and teach in those areas is a kind of success metric of Ciro's life.
Nitrogen Updated 2025-07-16
Oxford Master of Physics and Philosophy Updated 2025-07-16
Quantum computer simulator Updated 2025-07-16
Other good lists:
- quantumcomputingreport.com/resources/tools/ is hard to beat as usual.
- www.quantiki.org/wiki/list-qc-simulators
- JavaScript
- algassert.com/quirk demo: github.com/Strilanc/Quirk drag-and-drop, by a 2019-quantum-computing-Googler, impressive. You can create gates. State store in URL.
- github.com/stewdio/q.js/ demo: quantumjavascript.app/
Bibliography:
- www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/whats-happening/articles/energy-efficient-quantum-computing-simulations mentions two types of quantum computer simulation:
The most common approach to quantum simulations is to store the whole state in memory and to modify it with gates in a given order
However, there is a completely different approach that can sometimes eliminate this issue - tensor networks
Quantum control systems use FPGAs Updated 2025-07-16
It seems that all/almost all of them do. Quite cool.
FPGA Architecture of the Quantum Control System by Keysight (2022)
Source. They actually have a dedicated quantum team! Cool. Calcium Updated 2025-07-16
Polonium-210 Updated 2025-07-16
The only isotope found on Earth because it occurs as part of the uranium 238 decay chain, i.e., it is not a primordial nuclide.
Uranium-235 Updated 2025-07-16
Uranium vs plutonium Quora answer by Ciro Santilli Updated 2025-07-16
Wikimedia Commons Updated 2025-07-16
Gun-type fission weapon Updated 2025-07-16
Gun-type fission weapons are the simplest approach and they work with Uranium-235 bombs as you can ignite it with just one explosion.
But Gun-type fission weapons don't work with plutonium, and weapon grade Plutonium is cheaper than weapon grade Uranium, so it wasn't much used.
Phosphorescence Updated 2025-07-16
Silicon Updated 2025-07-16
Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Updated 2025-07-16
Except that instead of machines, you have separate programs. One such typical link is:
- from a MIDI source, e.g. vmpk or a MIDI editor with playback like Ardour
- to a synthesizer like FluidSynth or ZynAddSubFX
The advantage of this setup is that separate programs can collaborate to make complex sounds.
The disadvantage of this setup is that it makes it very hard to reproduce results, you basically need a Docker image with the exact same version of everything. And some script to launch and connect all programs correctly.
Advanced Placement Updated 2025-07-16
Advanced quantum field theory lecture by Tobias Osborne (2017) Updated 2025-07-16
When the word "advanced" precedes QFT, you know that the brainrape is imminent!!!
Big goal: explain the Standard Model.
Radium Updated 2025-07-16
Discovered by Marie Curie when she noticed that there was some yet unknown more radioactive element in their raw samples, after uranium and polonium, which she published 6 months prior, had already been separated. Published on December 1989 as: Section "Sur une nouvelle substance fortement radio-active, contenue dans la pechblende".
The uranium 238 decay chain is the main source of naturally occurring radium.
Quantum computing could be the next big thing Updated 2025-07-16
But recent developments are making it too exciting to ignore.
Quantum Computing Inc. Updated 2025-07-16
Really weird and obscure company, good coverage: thequantuminsider.com/2020/02/06/quantum-computing-incorporated-the-first-publicly-traded-quantum-computing-stock/
Publicly traded in 2007, but only pivoted to quantum computing much later.
There are unlisted articles, also show them or only show them.