Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ames.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!hao!ames!barry From: barry@ames.UUCP (Kenn Barry) Newsgroups: net.physics Subject: Faster-than-light computer? Message-ID: <1085@ames.UUCP> Date: Wed, 14-Aug-85 21:39:35 EDT Article-I.D.: ames.1085 Posted: Wed Aug 14 21:39:35 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 05:15:53 EDT Distribution: net Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA Lines: 22 [] Some time back, I read about (or perhaps saw on TV) how it might be possible to build a computer that operated literally faster-than-light by making use of quantum effects. It stated that, under supercool conditions, macroscopic sized chunks of some superconducting materials would behave as a single quantum, and state changes (spin or charge or something; don't remember) would occur *simultaneously* in all parts of these "chunks", without regard to lightspeed limitations. These state changes then could be used to send information through a machine using such macroscopic quanta at velocities greater than light. My problem is this: I don't recall where I heard about this, and even though I have a general impression that it was a respectable source, the whole thing sounds dubious to me. Has anyone else heard of this? And if not, are there any physicists out there who could tell this layman if such a thing is theoretically possible? It sure *sounds* like a violation of special relativity. - From the Crow's Nest - Kenn Barry NASA-Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ USENET: {ihnp4,vortex,dual,hao,menlo70,hplabs}!ames!barry