Month: December 2016

The hope diamond. (credit: 350z33)

One of the more exciting things happening in physics at the moment is the development of quantum computers that may actually be able to do something useful. But, as we get closer to that glorious day, one of the big questions remaining is: what type of basic technology should be used as the basis for quantum computers? We know from our experience with classical computers that whatever technology wins is going to dominate for a long time. For instance, even though silicon-based integrated circuits were known to be worse than their germanium-based equivalent, silicon won for engineering reasons. Ever since, other semiconductor materials have remained niche, despite continued development. And they'll likely stay niche until silicon is tapped out.

The decision on silicon is ancient history and the consequences are set. But with quantum computers, we haven't reached such a decision point yet. As such, a bazillion ideas are competing, and we get to sit on the sidelines and cheer the players on.

One approach, which has been quietly awaiting its next moment, is nitrogen-vacancy centers (NV^- centers) in diamond. Although there has been a lot of exciting developments in terms of showing that NV^- centers have excellent characteristics for qubits (a unit of quantum information), no one seems able to find a practical way to link anything more than a couple of qubits. Those days may be coming to an end, though, according to a recent study in Nature Photonics. The results of which could shift NV^- centers off the bench, back onto the playing field.

Enlarge (credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)

Brunel had his ships. Trump had his walls. And now Musk wants to make... tunnels. Tunnels under cities, to reduce traffic congestion and make the world a better, cleaner, less rage-filled place.

Over the weekend, probably while sitting in traffic behind the wheel of an autonomous Tesla, Musk tweeted: "Traffic is driving me nuts. Am going to build a tunnel boring machine and just start digging." An hour later, probably while still sitting in traffic, giving him plenty of time to think of a witty pun, he declared: "It shall be called 'The Boring Company.' Boring, it's what we do."

And finally, an hour after that, just in case any of us were foolish enough to think the billionaire multi-CEO was joking, Musk said, "I am actually going to do this." He also changed his Twitter bio to include "Tunnels."

Enlarge (credit: William Murphy)

Apple's tax arrangements in Ireland aren't a sweetheart deal between the iPhone maker and Dublin, the Irish government has insisted in its fight with competition officials in Brussels.

On Monday, the Irish government said in its challenge against the European Commission—which ruled that Apple should pay Ireland €13 billion (£11.1 billion) in back taxes—that it "does not do deals with taxpayers," adding that the country "did not give favourable tax treatment to Apple."

The commission's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, said in August: "Member states cannot give tax benefits to selected companies—this is illegal under EU state aid rules." But Ireland's finance ministry countered that "the full amount of tax was paid in this case and no state aid was provided."

(credit: Facebook)

Germany's coalition government is threatening to bring in legislation early next year that would see Facebook and other social media firms fined up to €500,000 (£420,000) for "publishing" fake news.

"Market dominating platforms like Facebook will be legally required to build a legal protection office in Germany that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," parliamentary chair of the Social Democratic Party Thomas Oppermann told Der Spiegel, which was translated on Deutsche Welle.

"If, after appropriate examination, Facebook does not delete the offending message within 24 hours, it should expect individual fines of up to 500,000 euros," Oppermann said. The subject of a fake news story would be able to demand a correction published with similar prominence, he added.