What is Quantum Computing?
In spite of how complicated modern computers are in comparison to the field’s early efforts, all computers function thanks to a simple unit of information: a bit. Short for binary digit, the bit carries only one of two values at any given time. Bits are either a one or a zero, and this binary information can be represented in a number of ways to produce an almost infinite number of logical combinations. However, the point still remains that bits, at their most basic level, exist in one of two states.
Quantum computing breaks the mold by utilizing qubits (quantum bits) at the core of the computation. Quantum bits, much like quantum particles, exist in the superposition of states. That is to say, qubits are not on or off, true or false, one or zero—qubits are both at the same time. Of course, qubits are still bits, meaning that they can still exist in binary states—otherwise classically trained computer scientists would have quite a bit of trouble learning to work with qubits. However, qubits are ultimately defined by their ability to exist in two states simultaneously.
How does Quantum Computing work?
Quantum computing provides a more comprehensive network of options to create programs. Theoretically speaking, it would take 30 qubits to perform approximately 1,000 times more tasks than a typical computer today. As one can imagine, if it were possible to harness the power of the quantum realm easily, all typical computers would be quantum machines.
The chief problem associated with quantum computing is the inherent difficulty in observing quantum particles. It all comes down to a matter of, well, matter. The particles we use to measure and observe quantum superposition causes particles to decohere—fall out of their quantum state. This means that quantum particles begin acting like normal particles once we try to observe. As any introductory physics professor will explain, quantum particles suffer from crippling stage fright.
Why is Quantum Computing Important?
This stage fright, however, belies an incredible potential for data transmission and analysis, especially over long distances, which is precisely why cryptanalysts are especially interested in quantum computing. Spooky action at a distance was Einstein’s pejorative description of the manner in which quantum particles seem to defy all sense of reason. Today, it’s summarized under the quantum entanglement umbrella.
Entanglement refers to the observation that quantum particles, even when separated over astonishing and frightening distances, seem to maintain a level of correlation. Simply put, changing one particle in a quantum pair will result in a change in the other member of the pair, even if the particles are nowhere near each other. Of course, when you begin to observe particles at small enough scales, even the closest distances become massive gaps.
In short, quantum computing is important for the same two reasons that science and technology are important. First, quantum computing is fascinating. Harnessing the power of the quantum realm to better understand our universe is precisely why people even bother studying quantum mechanics in the first place. Second, harnessing the power of the quantum realm means more efficient, faster, and intelligent computers. That is to say, if you don’t think it’s cool that we can use atoms to store information, instead of transistors and motherboards, rest assured that studying quantum computing will mean that Facebook loads faster.
What is the future of Quantum Computing?
The British Library in London is the largest library in the world, with approximately 170 million catalogued items. The Library of Congress, in Washington D.C., is the second largest library in the world, with approximately 160 million catalogued items. Library and Archives Canada, in Ottawa, is the third largest library in the world, with approximately 54 million catalogued items. It’s impossible to fit the contents of any one of these libraries into a single computer, let alone all of their contents.
The future of quantum computing, then, is a simple dream. Imagine being able to store the contents of the world’s three largest libraries, as well as the New York Public Library and the Russian State Library, and then being able to run a program that finds the precise item you’re looking for in a matter of milliseconds. As always, I’m excited for the truly absurd possibilities.