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Optics & Photonics News Magazine
February, 1985 Issue

Feature Articles

Quantum Mechanical Computers

This work is a part of an effort to analyze the physical limitations of computers due to the laws of physics. For example, Bennett1 has made a careful study of the free energy dissipation that must accompany computation. He found it to be virtually zero. He suggested to me the question of the limitations due to quantum mechanics and the uncertainty principle. I have found that, aside from the obvious limitation to size if the working parts are to be made of atoms, there is no fundamental limit from these sources either.

by Richard P. Feynman
Light Gone Astray A Look at Glare

Light is delightful. It is usually the carrier of many wonderful sights and visual sensations. It stimulates one of our most important senses and utilizes a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum which is dear to the hearts of most optical physicists.

by Ross McCluney

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