[LINK] Nano-transistor breakthrough to offer billion times fastercomputer

[TKoltai]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: link-bounces at mailman.anu.edu.au 
> [mailto:link-bounces at mailman.anu.edu.au] On Behalf Of David Boxall
> Sent: Monday, 20 February 2012 12:19 PM
> To: Link at mailman.anu.edu.au
> Subject: [LINK] Nano-transistor breakthrough to offer billion 
> times fastercomputer
> 
> 
> From: 
> <http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/nanotransistor-brea
> kthrough-to-offer-billion-times-faster-computer-20120220-1thqk.html>
> 
> Deborah Smith
> February 20, 2012
> 
> SYDNEY scientists have built the world's tiniest transistor 
> by precisely 
> positioning a single phosphorus atom in a silicon crystal.
> 
> The nano device is an important step in the development of quantum 
> computers - super-powerful devices that will use the weird quantum 
> properties of atoms to perform calculations billions of times faster 
> than today's computers.
> <SNIP>
> First developed in the 1950s, transistors revolutionised the 
> electronics 
> industry.
> 
> Since then, miniaturisation has seen the number of 
> transistors squeezed 
> onto a circuit double about every two years - a trend known 
> as Moore's law.
> 
> Professor Simmons said this led to the prediction that 
> transistors would 
> need to reach the single atom level by 2020.
> 
> "So we decided 10 years ago to start this program to try and 
> make single 
> atom devices as fast as we could, and try and beat that law."
> 
> This had now been achieved eight to ten years ahead of the industry's 
> schedule, she said.
> 
> Last year, Professor Simmons was named NSW Scientist of the 
> Year for her 
> team's research.
> 
> About 15 to 20 years of research is needed before quantum computers 
> become widely available.
> 

This is what happens when journalists attempt to explain disruptive
technology.

The researcher says 15-20 years eyeing long term tenure (and maybe a
nice corner office Ref [1]) guaranteed by the research funding
opportunity and the reporter writes it down with a nary a fact checker
in evidence.

i.e.: my read is that if the article is right and Moores law still
applies, then ubiquitous Quantum computing will arrive in 15-20 years.

However the article also states that the Moores law is proven wrong by
chopping the transistor per single atom deadline by eight full years. On
that basis, we could have Quantum computing by June this year and
ubiquitously so in the stores by Christams 2013.

Someone needs to teach journalists probability curve analysis.
 
Sheesh. No wonder I don't read newspapers any more. 
But... Rah rah, brilliant outcome, go Prof Simmons. 
I can't help but wonder if she likes Intel or Acorn better.

Then again, smart dust now became so much more feasible.
I'm thinking of ways to continue breathing without inhaling atom sized
personal shopping "assistants".
I think we are going to have to walk around with personal ionisation
fields.

Welcome to the future, your personal firewall should be ready by 2035...

TomK

References:

[1] The Rothman Disintegration 5x17 Big Bang Theory