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The quantum ATM: Where self-service meets rocket science

June 11, 2013

This is one ATM that you might need to be Albert Einstein to understand. But, according to one experimental philosopher, the "quantum ATM" could make everyone in the world rich — or at least everyone with a Quantum Bank account.

A report by cnet said that the quantum ATM installation was scheduled to go live on Tuesday in the basement of New York's 20 Rockefeller Center. According to its creator, Jonathon Keats, the ATM operates on the theory of "quantum superposition," a basic principle of quantum mechanics.

Very loosely explained, the theory holds that a particle exists simultaneously in all of its theoretically possible (and presumably infinite) states. However, it can be measured or observed in only one of its states at any given time and place.

Here's how the theory applies at the quantum ATM, as explained in the cnet article:

"Anybody will be able to deposit any sum of money at the Quantum Bank. While the deposit is being processed, a uranium-glass sphere will emit an alpha particle [i.e., currency] into a custom-built cylinder inscribed with seven billion microscopic boxes, each uniquely identified with a single account."

As the depositor, you would see (if you were capable of watching the process) only the manifestation that went into to your quantum account. But through superpositioning, 6,999,999,999 other manifestations would exist in the other quantum accounts as well. Whenever anyone makes a quantum deposit, everyone benefits.

It's all a bit Bitcoin-esque. And ultimately, quantum currency has the same shortcoming as Bitcoin: You have to find someone who will accept it as a form of payment for your non-superpositioned merchandise. Good luck with that at Walmart.

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