An international research group
led by scientists from the University of Bristol, UK, and the University of
Queensland, Australia, has demonstrated a quantum algorithm that performs a
true calculation for the first time. Quantum algorithms could one day enable
the design of new materials, pharmaceuticals or clean energy devices.
The team implemented the ‘phase
estimation algorithm’ — a central quantum algorithm which achieves an
exponential speedup over all classical algorithms. It lies at the heart of quantum computing and
is a key sub-routine of many other important quantum algorithms, such as Shor’s
factoring algorithm and quantum simulations.
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