From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@aeiveos.com)
Date: Sun Dec 01 2002 - 19:33:29 MST
On Sun, 1 Dec 2002, Hal Finney wrote:
> However my understanding of quantum theory says that it is not possible
> to store 1024 bits into 19 nuclear spins. Whether they realize it
> or not, the researchers are working with a large number of molecules
> simultaneously, and this is what makes it possible to put in and read
> back that much data.
Hal, I just read the abstract since the New Scientist is currently
unavailable. It seems like they are storing the information in
the spin state of the protons. The abstract doesn't mention "19
nuclear spins", but I can imagine a "nematic liquid crystal"
containing enough atoms which in turn contain enough protons
that one could extract 1024 bits if one has fine enough control
over individual proton spin states.
I don't know enough about NMR to know whether or not that is
a feasible assumption.
A nice piece of work if they have managed it though. Begs some
complex issues from a long term perspective of information storage
densities -- how many atoms (in the instrumentation) did they need
to control the spin states. "Hey look ma, I can store 1024 bits
and it only requires this 10 ton magnet and 4 megawatt supercooler
to keep them at 0.1 deg. K to do it."
Robert
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