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Nature 421, 796-797 (20 February 2003) | doi:10.1038/421796a

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Quantum computing: The qubit duet

Gianni Blatter

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Small, but consistent, steps are being taken towards the realization of a quantum computer. The demonstration of the coupling of two quantum bits in a solid-state device moves us closer to that goal.

Basic steps towards the creation of a quantum computer have been taken, with the demonstrations of elementary data storage and manipulation using photons and atoms1 or trapped ions2, 3 as the quantum bits, or 'qubits'. Solid-state qubits (made, for example, from tiny samples of superconducting material) are an attractive alternative, however, as they could be more easily built into working devices, profiting from the highly developed methods of nanotechnology.