[IIAOPSW]

The answer is a solid maybe.

Like I said upthread, it all depends on quantum error correction. Right now they are below the threshold for some surface codes (note: in this context below a threshold is a good thing). However surface codes require a torus topology, and existing chip technology generally flat. They are above the threshold for topologically simple codes like Stein and Shor thus ruling them out. While their research is a step forward, what they have in their lab right this instant cannot be made into a scaleable quantum computer.

Interestingly enough, most quantum computers (both in theory and practice) are more like fpga's than like a classical CPU architecture. The general purpose qubits just kind of sit there and a quantum circuit is implemented on them with laser pulses. The only exception I'm aware of is the silicon waveguides group I mentioned up top.

[Beltiras]

Here's how I have understood QC and it's current state of engineering: A 2-qbit gate can do 2-qbit problems. A pair of 2-qbit gates can do 2 2-qbit problems at a time, not a 4-qbit problem. For Shor's Algorithm, you need n-qbit gates, where n is the size of your problem. Even if the claims of the paper are true, making n-qbit gates out of silicone is just as hard as making n-qbit gates the way they are done in physics labs.

Is my understanding of the phenomena largely within reality?

[IIAOPSW]

What you are interested in knowing about is Universal Quantum Gates. These are the quantum analog of AND, OR, NOT from which all other computations can be built.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gate#Universal_quantum...

In answer to your question, you are mistaken. The Cnot gate plus a few Single qubit gates {haddamard, pi/8, phase shift} are sufficent for any quantum algorithm including shors.

Also not to be pedantic but computers are made of silicon. Breasts are made of silicone.

[Beltiras]

The difference in e is then from electrified to electrifying?