Implementation of a quantum algorithm on a nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computer

Quantum computing shows great promise for the solution of many difficult problems, such as the simulation of quantum systems and the factorization of large numbers. While the theory of quantum computing is fairly well understood, it has proved difficult to implement quantum computers in real physical systems. It has recently been shown that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used to implement small quantum computers using the spin states of nuclei in carefully chosen small molecules. Here we demonstrate the use of a NMR quantum computer based on the pyrimidine base cytosine, and the implementation of a quantum algorithm to solve Deutsch's problem (distinguishing between constant and balanced functions). This is the first successful implementation of a quantum algorithm on any physical system. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.