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back to article Quantum CPU upstart D-Wave drills into physics simulations to boost vital magnetic shielding

Physics upstart D-Wave has shed some light on its work simulating quantum computer processors to improve their performance and capabilities. Canada-based D-Wave builds chips made up of 512 superconducting semiconductor circuits called qubits, which are run at ultra-high frequencies in absolute-zero temperatures with minimal …

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  1. ZSn

    millikelvin not absolute zero

    Ahem old physicist warning. They are in the millikelvin range not absolute zero -they can't break the laws of thermodynamics. The dilution refrigerator they using can get down to single figure millikelvin. however to get lower they would need to use an adiabatic demagnetisation stage that can't be run continuously.

    5 1 Reply
    1. ZSn
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      Re: millikelvin not absolute zero

      Also, I forgot to add that adiabatic demagnetisation also requires some large magnetic fields - so millikelvin it is for them. Also D wave have also not proved that it is in fact quantum in any shape or form...

      5 1 Reply
      1. Destroy All Monsters Silver badge
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        Holmes

        Re: millikelvin not absolute zero

        You might add that that "qbits" are not superconducting thingamabos (in the same way that bits are not capacitors) and the science is not particularly mind-boggling to anyone who know vectors and complex numbers. It does, however, lead to heavy breathing regarding the implications.

        2 0 Reply
      2. Calimero
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        Re: millikelvin not absolute zero

        Tt sounds so absolutely great to use the word ABSOLUTE zero - think of The Factory for the Absolute. They did not prove it is quantum but did prove what good advertisement can do.

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    2. Anonymous Coward
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      Thumb Up

      Re: millikelvin not absolute zero

      I can see why "30,000 times colder" would be sexier than "About 293K below room temperature". And the best part is that it's totally correct!

      2 0 Reply
      1. illiad
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        Re: millikelvin not absolute zero

        so WHAT is 'room temperature' ??? and why are you messing around with such vague numbers???

        Absolute zero (0.00000K) is −273.15°C, −459.67°F...

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        1. Anonymous Coward
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          Anonymous Coward

          Re: millikelvin not absolute zero

          I wasn't aware that room temperature involved any numbers, vague or otherwise. I believe it has to do with comfort, and there's nothing vague about MY comfort.

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        2. Martin Budden Silver badge
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          Re: millikelvin not absolute zero

          Room temperature is a defined standard and, depending on which lab you are working in, can be 20C or 25C. When I was at school 25C was used, at university 20C was used. TBH I preferred the school labs because I didn't need to wear a jumper! Homebrewing hydrometers are calibrated to a defined temperature, some are 20C and others 25C.

          0 0 Reply
  2. Sureo

    30,000 times colder than room temperature

    Sounds like a typical Canadian winter. We measure temperature in millikelvins here (makes it seem warmer than it really is). No wonder D-Wave is located here.

    2 0 Reply
  3. Ryan Kendall

    1 Kelvin does not equal 1000

    Where on earth do they pluck these numbers from.

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