How will quantum computers change the world?

12.06.2018 3,066 16

Martin Pramatarov

Quantum computers: you’ve probably have heard fascinating things about them and their potential to change the world, but how? Have you seen them? Are they Sci-Fi or a real thing soon to feature in our future? Let’s find out!

What are quantum computers?

They are computers based on the principle of quantum mechanics, so they work with qubits (quantum bits). While traditional bits can only be either 0 or 1, quantum computers’ qubits can also be 0 and 1 at the same time! This means they have far more potential for solving complex calculations very quickly, storing more data, and moremany other uses.

What is a quantum bit or qubit?

In regular computing, we use the bit as the basic unit of information. A bit can have a value of zero or one. Either one or the other value at a time. Let’s say as an example that if the a current passes through a circuit, you have a one. If it does not pass, you have a zero. Talking about quantum computing, a qubit – or quantum bit – is the basic unit of information used by a quantum computer. A quantum bit can have both values (zero and one) superpositioned at the same time. This opens interesting and useful chances of performing many quantum algorithms, therefore making different complex calculations in a very fast manner. You can have a quantum bit of physical quantities, an atom, a particle, a wave, a photon, the spin of an electron, or energy levels of a molecule or atom, etc. What scientists say is, if you can apply Quantum Physics Principles to a quantity, then you can use it (the quantity) as a quantum bit or qubit.

What are the Quantum Mechanics Principles used by quantum computers?

Quantum Mechanics is an interesting branch of Physics. It studies the existence, interaction, and potential of atomic and subatomic particles. Some of its principles are used by quantum computers to make calculations that are impossible for regular computers. Let’s dive a bit into the science behind them!

Superposition. It is the property quantum systems have of existing in multiple states simultaneously. It means a qubit can be in a superposition of 0 and 1 at the same time, instead of only being confined to one or the other, as it happens is with bits.

Entanglement. In quantum systems, the state of one qubit depends on the state of another, even when they are physically separated, t. There is still a dependency between them. So, the state of one qubit can’t be considered independently of the state of another qubit and the measurements practiced on one qubit can affect the state of the other. This principle is vital for quantum algorithms to calculate much quicker than traditional algorithms. This way, Grover’s algorithm can search an unsorted database, or Shor’s algorithm can factor in very large numbers, and both can do it very fastquickly.

Photon spins are a common example of used qubits. Considering that a photon can spin up (one state) or spin down (zero state), if you have a couple of entangled photons, they must have contrary spins. If one is down the other must be up.

Current challenges of quantum computers
The proposal and development of quantum computers dates back to the 1980s. Names like Richard Feynman, Yuri Manin, and many more strongly supported the potential of quantum computers to solve complex problems much faster than a regular computer. In the 1990s, the first experimental implementations of simple quantum algorithms took place, using small numbers of qubits or quantum bits. There have been important advances but still now, there are challenges ahead. A lot is mustto be done to reach the full potential of quantum computers.

Building reliable qubits. A massive challenge is to build stable and error-free qubits as. The reason is, qubits are very sensitive to environmental factors. They can be easily disrupted by electromagnetic radiation, and temperature fluctuations, etc. To keep the delicate quantum states is essential for quantum computations to be executed correctly, but it is a very hard mission due to their sensitivity. Right now, different materials and designs are being explored and tested, to build stable and error-free qubits.

Controlling and measuring qubits. Since qubits are so delicate, any interaction with the environment and its different elements can cause them to lose their quantum states. The current efforts are focused on the development of techniques that allow to control and measure qubits without disrupting their quantum states.

Developing error correction. Regular computers experience data bits failure. It does not happen frequently, but it is a possibility. In a failure scenario, techniques that allow corrections for the computations to keep going are important. Usually, data held by a bit sequence is copied so spotting the exact bit of the sequence that fails is easy and therefore it can be fixed without too much trouble, to fix it.
With quantum computers, the challenge is much harder. Qubits are hard to handle and all the information they hold can be destroyed very easily, causing errors in the quantum computations. Qubits are prone to errors, and techniques to make corrections are an essential need, b. But you cannot use the same techniques used by regular computers because quantum information cannot be copied.

Different approaches are under development. The reality is we are not yet there!

Scaling up quantum systems’ potential. The goal is to build large-scale quantum computers to solve bigger and more complex problems than regular computers can manage. Currently, there is progress but still, the existing quantum systems are “small”, meaning they cannot show their full potential. The expectation is that quantum computers should revolutionize the solution of very complex calculations and the way we understand the universe.

Developing software and algorithms. There is a lot of work has been done on developing quantum computers, but we will still need software and algorithms that can make the best most out of their specific and attractive features. A massively capable computer without software will isbe pointless. These computers will require their language for programming, custom OS, and applications. There are already algorithms designed to execute specific tasks, but general-purpose algorithms are also needed to use them in a wider range of issues.

Who is making quantum computers currently?

Different government agencies, academic institutions, and companies are developing quantum computers. These are some of the major players in the field:
• Microsoft. Microsoft has been researching and developing quantum computers since the early 2000s. The company is also developing quantum applications, software, and algorithms. Its latest quantum computer is a 50-qubit one, called Microsoft Quantum and it is available via its cloud-based platform, Azure Quantum.
• IBM. IBM has been working on the development of quantum computers, quantum applications, software, and algorithms since the early 2000s too. We can mention its IBM Quantum System One, a 127-qubit quantum computer available through IBM’s cloud-based platform, IBM Quantum.
• Google. Google joined the competition in the mid-2000s. It has developed several quantum applications and algorithms, like optimization algorithms and chemistry simulations. Google’s current quantum computer is a 72-qubit one, available via its Google Cloud Quantum (cloud-based platform).
• D-Wave Systems. D-Wave Systems is producing quantum computers based on a specific kind of quantum computing directed to the optimization of problems. This is called quantum annealing. The company’s current quantum computer is called D-Wave 2000Q. It is a 2048 qubit computer, available via Leap, D-Wave’s cloud-based platform.
• Rigetti Computing. Rigetti Computing is a startup that is developing quantum computers based on superconducting qubits. Rigetti’s latest quantum computer is a 2048 qubit one, called the Rigetti Aspen-9 and it is available via Rigetti Quantum Cloud (cloud-based platform).
• IonQ. IonQ is another startup developing quantum computers based on trapped ions. The company’s current quantum computer has 32 qubits, its name is IonQ Quantum, and it is available via IonQ Cloud.

Besides the above, there are now several more prototypes in progress. For instance, researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia have built a quantum computer that has four4 qubits and can be programmed using light. A team of developers at the University of California, in Santa Barbara, have created a 246-qubit computer.

Conclusion

Yes, quantum computers already exist! They are real things and not only just Sci-Fi fiction. They are owned by different enterprises and can be accessed through the Internet (cloud quantum computing). They are an accessible way for researchers and businesses to use quantum computing resources and tools without having to invest the massive amount of money their creation demands.

However, it is true that after many years, they are still in an early stage of development. Analyzing their possibilities and challenges, you can get understand why scientists and researchers find them super attractive, while engineers hate their complexity.

How will quantum computers change the world? Clearly, by revolutionizing key science fields and solving complex problems that are beyond the reach of regular computers. Creation of quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms to secure communications, development of much more effective drugs and therapies in an extraordinarily short-time, efficient solutions to streamline operations and improve resource utilization, design of new materials to improve electronics, energy storage, and renewable energy, enhancement of artificial intelligence and data analysis in record time, accurate weather forecast predictions, and better disaster preparedness. Shortly, we could live longer, healthier, and in a more thriving community and wholesome world!

Exciting, right? But we will have to wait. In 2023, it is expected that quantum computers will continue to be used primarily for research and development purposes, as well as for solving specific problems in fields such as materials science, chemistry, and cryptography. It is unlikely that they will be widely adopted for general-purpose computing tasks in the near future. They will definitely reshape our world, but not today!