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Published online 22 February 2006 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news060220-10
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The computer that works when it's idle
Quantum computers get the answer without being turned on.
A striking new way to compute the answer of a mathematical problem sounds like a slacker's dream: you turn on your computer, program it to solve the problem, but then don't have to run the program. Provided you are using a quantum computer, you'll have a fair chance of getting the answer anyway.
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