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A single strike of a key could delete all the information stored in
a computer. Even a beginner knows this. Regular back-ups are done to
avoid such uneventful deletion. A new discovery claims that information
can never be deleted. Such revolutionary discovery is an important
discovery indeed. This is supposed as a new law in quantum mechanics. Quantum computers are that, capable of performing many serial tasks simultaneously. The new discovery claims that information stored in such quantum computer cannot be deleted. This has been termed as 'no-deletion principle' by the discoverers. The explanations are moderately 'head and hair tearing'. Let us assume that you are storing an information and its copies in a present day computer. Another person having access to this computer will be able to delete some information and the rest of the information remains intact. But in a quantum computer no one else except you will be able to delete any copy of the information. This is also explained in another way. It's a reverse operation of a photocopier machine. Create two copies of the same information, leave the original and a blank paper. Intruders will be able to find the blank sheet from which nothing could be deleted - this is the principle. So, can we create a quantum computer sooner! No, it might take few decades. Those who are familiar with quantum mechanics could appreciate this. In quantum physics, even an impossible event is supposed to have a non-zero probability. This can be explained by using the example of a ball in a well. A ball is in a well and it cannot come out on its own. So the ball is not outside the well. But a quantum physicist would argue that the ball is inside as well as outside the well. An analogous principle has been applied for the computer. Two researchers working in the University of Wales, Bangor, U.K. have discovered this new quantum principle. Dr Samuel L. Braunstein of the School of Informatics and Dr Arun Kumar Pati from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai have published this principle. Pati, an Indian, is presently working at University of Wales. His role also extends to the study of teleporting photons, which is ranked as one of the top 10 discoveries of the year 199[8]. For more information about quantum computers contact: Dr Arun Kumar Pati |