[HN Gopher] AWS Cat Qubits Make Quantum Error Correction Effecti...
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       AWS Cat Qubits Make Quantum Error Correction Effective, Affordable
        
       Author : rbanffy
       Score  : 34 points
       Date   : 2025-02-28 09:51 UTC (3 days ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (www.nextplatform.com)
 (TXT) w3m dump (www.nextplatform.com)
        
       | mrbluecoat wrote:
       | > AWS is using cat qubits
       | 
       | Is that a nod to Schrodinger?
        
         | fsh wrote:
         | Yes, they use superposition of the most "classical" quantum
         | states (coherent states). These are called (Schrodinger) cat
         | states, since his thought experiment was about a quantum
         | superposition of a very classical object (a cat):
         | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_state
        
           | H8crilA wrote:
           | It is theorized that CERN is powered by the bodies of dead
           | physicists that turn in their graves every time someone
           | brings up the Schroedinger cat to an audience that doesn't
           | even know complex numbers.
           | 
           | There's also a smaller power section filled with computer
           | scientists that turn when someone says that the quantum
           | computer offers exponential speedups.
        
           | a012 wrote:
           | Guess why they named their chip Ocelot which is a big cat
        
             | wbl wrote:
             | Ocelots are small cats. Big small cats but they purr
             | https://youtu.be/HpwenyMq0Os?si=Ic9g_zuR4e99wrTB
        
               | rbanffy wrote:
               | Most cats purr. Cheetas even meow.
        
               | ergsef wrote:
               | The distinction between "big cats" and "small cats" is
               | whether or not they purr. Ocelots and Cheetahs are wild
               | "small cats" which can purr. Lions, tigers, panthers are
               | "big cats" don't purr. There's a taxonomic distinction.
        
       | makestuff wrote:
       | Outside of breaking encryption, what class of problems are most
       | likely to be solved if these chips are successful?
        
         | perching_aix wrote:
         | Material science and biochemistry are usually cited to be the
         | primary beneficiaries.
        
           | altruios wrote:
           | I just want to stress how much material science could advance
           | us.
           | 
           | Space elevators / hooks, are the things I'm most excited for.
        
         | wasabi991011 wrote:
         | A fruitful avenue may be in quantum simulation, i.e. simulating
         | a quantum system and computing its properties. This is why the
         | other commentor mentioned biochemistry and material science,
         | since these are two domains where quantum effects are important
         | to understanding.
         | 
         | To give two concrete examples:
         | 
         | In biochemistry, we could hope to understand how bacteria are
         | able to do nitrogen fixation, possibly leading to a more energy
         | efficient and less GHG-emitting alternative to the Haber
         | process.
         | 
         | In material science, we could hope to better understand the
         | mechanism for current high-temperature superconductivity,
         | possibly leading to the development of superconductive
         | materials at even higher temperatures, lower pressures, and
         | with more convenient other properties (such as toughness,
         | ductility).
        
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