While highly useful to simulate complex quantum systems found in nature and technology (the most promising application of quantum computing), it seems that this is not part of a general-purpose quantum computer. But maybe the techniques can be generalized.
The press release is complete garbage, none of the words randomly used there ("quantum", "integrated circuit" etc.) provide any kind of correct information, in that context.
On the other hand the Nature article and the research results are very interesting.
This has nothing to do with "quantum computers" or "integrated circuits".
The device is a special-purpose analog computer, which can simulate systems described by quantum mechanics, e.g. molecules, like the traditional analog computers, a.k.a. differential analyzers, which were used before WWII to simulate any systems that can be described by a system of differential equations.
However, for now, this isn't any kind of programmable computer.
To simulate another molecule, you have to build another analog computer, i.e. molecule simulator, with different spacings and sizes for the semiconductor quantum dots, though in the future they might achieve some degree of reconfigurability, to maybe simulate several kinds of molecules with a single quantum simulator.
The article just kept saying look how good we are. We are the best. We are the world leader. Then provided zero details on what they were up to. This article is not worth the 2 minute read.
The country that explained to the US that it was possible to build a nuclear weapon?
The place that made the clocks that allowed laser gravitional wave detectors to work?
I'd say many people also assume such things about my country Canada. Both Canada and Australia have small populations, large land area, and are not in the news much. Out of sight out of mind and one day we're in the news.
For example Canada built the NIRISS (exoplanet detection and analysis) and the FRS (guidance) devices for the JWST.
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[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 68.5 ms ] threadOn the other hand the Nature article and the research results are very interesting.
This has nothing to do with "quantum computers" or "integrated circuits".
The device is a special-purpose analog computer, which can simulate systems described by quantum mechanics, e.g. molecules, like the traditional analog computers, a.k.a. differential analyzers, which were used before WWII to simulate any systems that can be described by a system of differential equations.
However, for now, this isn't any kind of programmable computer.
To simulate another molecule, you have to build another analog computer, i.e. molecule simulator, with different spacings and sizes for the semiconductor quantum dots, though in the future they might achieve some degree of reconfigurability, to maybe simulate several kinds of molecules with a single quantum simulator.
Who'd have thought.
[1] https://www.uwa.edu.au/Profile/David-Blair
[2] https://www.atomicheritage.org/profile/mark-oliphant
There is also WiFi (CSIRO), seL4 (NICTA), ResMed, Cochlear, Saluda (NICTA), and many many more.
It might not be a story of Australian expertise in (then) cutting edge technology that you like, but it's a real nugget of history.
His mentor was a New Zealander ... now a determinedly nuclear free country.
For example Canada built the NIRISS (exoplanet detection and analysis) and the FRS (guidance) devices for the JWST.
[0] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHSIfioizVW1sXAjY3aYC...
https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/01/04/131018/why-the-q...