Physicists from the University of California in Santa Barbara have managed to develop a "quantum integrated circuit that applies the quantum von Neumann architecture."

Through this design, a long-lasting quantum random access memory can be programmed utilizing a central processing unit that will provide all the vital elements for a quantum version of a standard personal computer.

Computers of today are using binary bits of data that are either ones or zeros. On the other hand, quantum PCs will employ quantum bits which can be both ones and zeros due to the peculiarities of quantum mechanics, according to reports from Times of India.

The Science Daily explained that the UCSB hardware depends on superconducting quantum circuits, and must be cooled to very low temperatures to display quantum behavior. The architecture represents a new-fangled model in quantum information processing, and shows that quantum large-scale-integration is within reach.

The quantum integrated circuit includes two quantum bits (qubits), a quantum communication bus, two bits of quantum memory, and a resetting register comprising a simple quantum computer.

Matteo Mariantoni, postdoctoral fellow in the University/s Department of Physics said "Computational steps take a few billionths of a second, comparable to a classical computer, but the great power is that a quantum computer can perform a large number of calculations simultaneously."

Meanwhile, the popular belief is that physicists have inched closer to building a quantum computer by creating a tiny 'electron superhighway' which they assert could be helpful in manufacturing the new computer.

It will use quantum particles instead of digital transistors which are found in today's microchips.

Another team at Rice University says the tiny device, called a quantum spin hall topological insulator, which acts as an electron superhighway, serves as one of the building blocks needed to create quantum particles that store and manipulate data.