A Desktop Quantum Computer for Just $5k

https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/a-desktop-quantum-computer-for-just-usd5-000

by new_guy • 5 years ago

10 3 5 years ago

"The compound at the heart of the SpinQ machine is

dimethylphosphite

, a tetrahedral molecule consisting of one phosphorous atom, one hydrogen atom, an oxygen and two CH3O groups. This takes the form of colorless liquid at room temperature.

Dimethylphosphite is ideal because the phosphorous and hydrogen atoms are bonded to each other and close enough to interact while also capable of being manipulated independently.

To ensure that the radio signals from the hydrogen and phosphorus atoms are strong enough to pick up, a huge number of molecules must be used, about 10^15 of them. That requires a few drops of liquid, which sit in a small vial in the middle of the powerful magnetic field.

The technique is well understood and has long been used to make medical images of the body.

Indeed, the first quantum computers built in the 1990s used exactly the same approach."

text70• 5 years ago

Ask anyone that has done any work with NMR in the past and they will tell you the same thing. The same thing.

jl2718• 5 years ago

This is uninteresting to me for quantum computing, but an alternate use for a similar design as a subsurface imager is very interesting to me. Who wants to start a business?

A Desktop Quantum Computer for Just $5k

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