What is Quantum Computing?

quantum computing, qubit, superposition, entanglement, quantum computers, benefits of quantum computing, challenges of quantum computing

QUANTUM COMPUTING

What is Quantum computer?

A Quantum computer uses quantum mechanics to perform computation. Rather than bits and logic gates, a quantum computer uses qubits and quantum gates. It is capable of solving certain tasks even a million times faster than a classical computer. It will make it possible to process the amount of data. The mathematical model for quantum computers was given by Richard Feynman. As a way to simulate chemical, biological, and quantum conditions for a better understanding of the world that we live in. For example, a quantum computer composed of twenty qubits can take 1048576 states simultaneously.

What is a Quantum bit or Qubit?

A Qubit is a quantum bit, represents the essential unit of data in quantum computing. Each qubit can also represent a zero or a one. The output is inherently probabilistic i.e. two similar qubits possibly have different values once measured. Qubits can achieve superposition where they are both 1 and 0 at the same time.

What is Superposition?

The Quantum state of a particle is the phenomenon where instead of existing at a point of time. Its existence is divided as probabilities of existence at different points.

Bit Vs Qubit

A Set of 8 bits must be in 1 state out of 256 possible ones at any given time. While a set of 8 qubits can potentially be in 256 possible states simultaneously. A Computer using qubits can store a huge amount of information.

What is Quantum Entanglement?

It is also known as “Spooky Action at Distance”, which occurs when a pair of particles remain locked and connected to where if one action is done on one will affect the other through an invisible connection. This is why teleportation in quantum computing is possible.

Google developed a first-ever quantum computer called Sycamore. There are in total 28 quantum computers to date developed by various companies like Google, IBM, Intel, Ringette, and D-wave.

What is Quantum computing?

The idea is that a quantum computer is any device that can use certain phenomena from quantum mechanics. Such as superposition and entanglement, to perform complex operations on data. The basic principle is that quantum properties can be used to represent data and solve complex problems.

Why do we need quantum computing?

There is a lack of computational power required to solve today's challenges. A quantum computer may be the answer to take an enormous leap forward in processing and computing power. Quantum computing has the power to revolutionize the world. It could bring in considerable developments in medicine, encryption, and artificial intelligence. It will even help to solve space travel.

Top tech companies like Google, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft are competing to build a reliable quantum computer to solve complex problems. Today’s most powerful supercomputer cannot solve, and will never will. Unlike our ordinary computers, quantum computers are supporting a progressive field of science known as quantum mechanics.

Quantum mechanics or quantum field theory is a fundamental theory in physics describing the properties of nature of an atomic scale. In quantum mechanics, things can travel faster than light also objects can stay in Schrodinger (like hot and cold at the same time, etc.).

There are three core concepts to understand about quantum computing quantum bits or qubits (CUE-bits), superposition and entanglement theory. A traditional computer uses a binary digit to store data (i.e.) zero or one. But, quantum computers use qubits like bits, it can be a zero or one. Using superposition and entanglement qubits can hold a zero, a one, or any part of both 0 and 1 at the same time.

To give a perspective on superposition it would take 400 years for a modern 64-bit computer to calculate all possibilities of values of two bits. A quantum computer can process this allows a quantum computer to solve complex problems that are impossible for today's conventional computer. In brief, entanglement creates the quantum state that allows the quantum computer to process data.

Challenges of quantum computing

Acquiring and holding this quantum state is one of many challenges.

Quality of the qubit - Qubits for large-scale systems must be produced with excellent quality requiring low temperatures and precise physical conditions. Qubits available today are not good enough as they still generate errors during operations. Qubits today give the wrong answers after running many calculations. Though this is currently a problem it should be resolved shortly.

Error correction - As the qubits are still not of excellent quality. Then we need to focus on implementing error correction algorithms that can check and correct random qubit errors as they occur.

Benefits of quantum computing

·       Data analytics and artificial intelligence crunching large-scale numbers and data are at the core of solving many problems. For example, NASA is currently searching for quantum computing to analyze the huge amount of data collected about the universe.

·       Weather forecasting - Forecasting and prediction of weather conditions depending on a huge and complex set of data. If the weather data is limited, then the processing can be done on a traditional computer. If the factors exceed the usual limit, then it takes much longer to process. So, quantum computing could be used to forecast accurate and precise weather conditions with incredible speed-nearly instantly.

·       Encryption - Current techniques for encryption depend on the fact that it takes too long to use brute force to crack the key. Quantum computing will be able to crack the key instantly. Thus making the current techniques irrelevant. Quantum-created encryption will be unbreakable.

·       Many government organizations and Army research funding agencies support quantum computing research.

·       They used this to develop a quantum computer for both civilian and military purposes such as cryptanalysis.

The future of quantum computing looks promising. The time is finally here when quantum computing is transforming from theoretical to something more practical. It will impact every industry, everything on this planet, it will likely be the most important technology since the discovery of electricity.

Google claims to have created a time crystal using a quantum computer and also a plan to build a commercial quantum computer before a decade. A commercial quantum computing that is capable of performing large-scale calculations without errors.