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Category: computing – Page 248

10x efficiency boost: US paves the way for next-gen chip production

Special multi-layer mirrors guide the light through plates called masks, which hold the intricate patterns of the integrated circuits for semiconductor wafers. The light projects the pattern onto a photoresist layer that is etched away to leave the integrated circuits on the chip, according to a press release by LLNL.

The project also aims to investigate the primary hypothesis that the energy efficiency of existing EUV lithography sources for semiconductor production can be improved with technology developed for the novel petawatt-class BAT laser, which uses thulium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride (Tm: YLF) as the gain medium through which the power and intensity of laser beams are increased, as per the release.

Scientists have planned to conduct a demonstration pairing the compact high-rep-rate BAT laser with technologies that generate sources of EUV light using shaped nanosecond pulses and high-energy x-rays and particles using ultrashort sub-picosecond pulses.

Human Thought Lags Behind Sensory Speed

Summary: A new study reveals that humans think at a rate of 10 bits per second, while sensory systems process a billion bits per second—100 million times faster. This highlights a paradox: why does the brain process thoughts so slowly when sensory input is so vast?

Researchers propose that the brain’s evolution prioritized focusing on single “paths” of thought, akin to navigating abstract concept spaces. These findings challenge notions of brain-computer interfaces enabling faster communication, as the brain’s inherent speed limit persists.

Quantum Teleportation Achieved Over Internet For First Time

A quantum state of light has been successfully teleported through more than 30 kilometers (around 18 miles) of fiber optic cable amid a torrent of internet traffic – a feat of engineering once considered impossible.

The impressive demonstration by researchers in the US may not help you beam to work to beat the morning traffic, or download your favourite cat videos faster.

However, the ability to teleport quantum states through existing infrastructure represents a monumental step towards achieving a quantum-connected computing network, enhanced encryption, or powerful new methods of sensing.

Magic Particles: The Large Hadron Collider’s Quantum Computing Breakthrough

Physicists uncovered a fascinating link between the Large Hadron Collider and quantum computing. They found that top quarks produced at the LHC exhibit a property called “magic,” essential for quantum computation.

This discovery could revolutionize our understanding of quantum mechanics and its applications, bridging the gap between quantum theory and particle physics.

Quantum Computing and the Power of “Magic”

Texas Instruments gets $1.6B from feds

Texas Instruments has announced a tranche of federal CHIPS Act funding worth up to $1.6 billion, a show of support for a semiconductor manufacturing industry that’s becoming more entrenched in North Texas.

Texas Instruments also expects to receive somewhere between $6 billion and $8 billion in U.S. Treasury tax credits for manufacturing investments, and up to $10 million to boost workforce development.

All told, the money will assist in funding three new Texas Instruments plants: two based in Sherman and one in Lehi, Utah, creating 2,000 new jobs. Separately, Samsung will receive as much as $4.75 billion in CHIPS Act money, a figure Bloomberg notes was below what was originally envisaged.

Singapore’s AQSolotl Introduces CHRONOS-Q: A Quantum Controller for Use in Integrating Classical and Quantum Computers

In a pioneering move for quantum technology, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have launched AQSolotl, a deep-tech startup presenting CHRONOS-Q —a state-of-the-art quantum controller designed to integrate classical computing systems with quantum computers. This innovation positions Singapore at the forefront of the global quantum ecosystem, with wide-ranging applications across industries.

CHRONOS-Q tackles the complexity of controlling quantum computers by acting as a translator between classical and quantum systems. It enables efficient control via standard computing devices, features an intuitive interface, and significantly reduces operational barriers, paving the way for broader adoption. Its modular, compact design ensures scalability and suitability for diverse environments, from research labs to mobile quantum setups.

With groundbreaking speed—determining qubit states in under 14 nanoseconds—and customizable firmware, CHRONOS-Q promises cost-effective, future-proof solutions for academia and industry. The startup’s founders, including Professor Rainer Dumke from NTU and CEO Patrick Bore, emphasize the transformative potential of accessible quantum computing for solving global challenges.

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