Let's Talk Dev

So today I read http://www.physorg.com/news196258264.html and got all excited about photonics as a possible next step. I also keep reading about the advances in quantum computing including the quantum encryption being used at the world cup matches in Africa. It seems to me like there is a bit of a race between the two concepts to land the next evolution of data processing.

After thinking about where both of those technologies are I have to admit that it looks much more likely that we'll see a photonic processor in a PC long before we see a quantum processor. At the same time I do think the quantum techniques will come into more use.

Perhaps what we'll see is a move to photonics for general computing with quantum techniques being used for specialized applications like encryption. In the last 10 years we've gone from the introduction of a 64 bit processor to 6 core hyper threaded processors. I'm looking forward to the next evolution of processors. My money is on photonics as being the next step with quantum processing not far behind.

Every time I look there seems to be another article on http://www.physorg.com talking about a new research breakthrough in quantum computing and the physics needed to make it work. At the current rate of development it will not be long before quantum based communication is feasible on a much wider scale and those same techniques have the potential to usher in a new age of technology that will make the current level of speed, miniaturization, and raw computing power look like a Model-T compared to a Ferrari.

I do not expect that we will see this transformation within the next few years but within the next 10 to 20 you can bet on it. At some point in this timeframe this transformation will take place and once it starts it will take less than 5 years to become pervasive.

What can I say?  I am excited about the future of computing technology. Just think of the neat stuff we’ll be able to build with it! Whoever can leverage this computing power will be a force indeed.