Conclusion
Given the gates above, as well as the need for a set of universal gates, it is plain that a clear understanding of the theoretical implications of each gate is important to experimentalistÕs decision of which gates to produce as well as the theoristÕs decision regarding possible applications. As experimental and theoretical quantum computer theorists continue to converge in their understanding of what each gate needs to be able to do and how to construct a set of universal quantum gates, it has become critical that the two sides of the field talk to each other. Although theoretical computer theorists have postulated ideas on how to create the physical quantum computer, they need to continue to check the progress of experimentalists. Likewise, experimentalists need to be aware of the best universal set of gates for their particular setup, a feat that requires input from the theoretical perspective. This problem is likely to become aggravated as more experimental physicists begin to look into quantum computing (as it has primarily been those who theorize about quantum computing that experiment to develop the computers (e.g. [10]) until recently). As experimentalists continue to push the envelope of quantum reality (such as experimentally resolving the question of how a single root NOT gate acts) and theorists continue to push a different limit, that of possibility, it is crucial to keep each other informed on each otherÕs progress.
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Created by Brian Patterson
Last Modified 11/22/00