Quantum Computing for Dummies

We’re ready to begin realizing the next wave in computation, and with it, useful quantum computing. Quantum computers take advantage of the ability for qubits to exist in different states at the same time. This means that quantum computers can consider a lot more information at once, evaluating many outcomes simultaneously, thereby increasing their calculating power exponentially. Instead, advocates prefer to point to a reasonable track record of steady progress. Quantum computer makers have gradually increased the scale of quantum computers, improved its software and decreased the qubit-perturbing noise that derails calculations.

PQI offers many opportunities to its quantum engineering students, including travel awards, poster sessions, public lectures, and outreach activities. The PQI also works closely with other centers, like the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, to work on this next-generation quantum technology. “We believe that our guide could be useful for introducing more scientists to quantum computing and for inviting them to experiment with the forthcoming quantum computers with larger numbers of qubits,” Lokhov says.

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The University also works with many different organizations, including the Sydney Quantum Academy. There are many universities around the world offering quantum computing as a graduate program. Many of them have also spawned some of the biggest names in quantum computing, allowing a bridge to form between research and industry. This is especially beneficial for students looking to transition from academia into a quantum computing job.

For example, if a user wants to solve a protein folding problem to discover the least amount of energy to use, the quantum computer would measure the combinations of folds; this combination is the answer to the problem. Intel Labs is working to achieve quantum practicality, the transition of quantum technology from the lab to commercial quantum systems that solve real-world problems. With the help of industry and academic partners, Intel has made significant progress in realizing this vision. The researchers are currently working to improve the system by improving laser control over qubits and making the system more programmable. They are also actively exploring how the system can be used for new applications, ranging from probing exotic forms of quantum matter to solving challenging real-world problems that can be naturally encoded on the qubits.

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So, instead of going through each of those potential solutions sequentially, we can compute the scores of all solutions at the same time. To explain what a quantum computer is, I’ll need to first explain a little bit about regular (non-quantum) computers. IBM Quantum’s mission is to bring useful quantum computing to the world. The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples.

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To address this challenge, Houck and his team are collaborating with IBM Research to fortify the transmon by building more complex circuits that guard against decoherence. This will allow the transmon to hold a quantum state for several hundred microseconds, which is long enough to carry out many computing steps and represents a huge leap from previous qubit technology. It is in the domain of information technology, however, that we might end up owing quantum mechanics our greatest debt. This goal could revolutionize certain aspects of computing and open up a new world of technological possibilities. Despite the seeming irrationality of these concepts, scientists over the last 120 years have demonstrated that this realm — known as quantum mechanics — is the foundation on which our physical existence is built.

Quantum computing benefits

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Quantum computers store data in quantum binary digits called quantum bits, or qubits, that can be made using various technologies, including superconducting rings; optical traps; and photons of light. Some technologies require cooling to near absolute zero, others operate at room temperature. Hensinger’s blueprint is for a machine the size of a football pitch, but others could end up installed in cars.

This skill gap could jeopardize potential value creation, which McKinsey estimates to be as much as $1.3 trillion. Research suggests that four industries stand to reap the greatest short-term benefits from quantum computing based on the use cases discussed in the previous section. Collectively—and conservatively—the value at stake for these industries could be as much as $1.3 trillion. As these capabilities develop at pace with quantum computing power, use cases will proliferate.

Quantum breakthrough could revolutionise computing

Researchers cannot even agree on how the performance of quantum computers should be measured. IBM’s quantum computers are programmed using Qiskit, our open-source, python-based quantum SDK. Qiskit has modules dedicated to finance, chemistry, optimization, and machine learning. Execute at scale with Qiskit Runtime, our quantum programming model for efficiently building and scaling workloads.

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According to IBM,  it’s what a qubit can do rather than what it is that’s remarkable. A qubit places the quantum information that it contains into a state of superposition. This refers to a combination of all possible configurations of the qubit. “Groups of qubits in superposition can create complex, multidimensional computational spaces. Complex problems can be represented in new ways in these spaces.”

Some are testing photons, other atoms, or ions—and yet others electrons in superconducting material. Research and development is being conducted within all these platforms worldwide. Senior Adviser Ulrich Busk Hoff has been conducting research into and communicating about quantum physics for several years. From there, researchers would also have to build ever-more complex systems to handle the increase in qubit fidelity and numbers. The challenge is two-fold, according to Jonathan Carter, a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Classical computers are best for everyday tasks and have low error rates. Quantum computers are ideal for a higher level of task, e.g., running simulations, analyzing data (such as for chemical or drug trials), creating energy-efficient batteries. “In addition, these systems only operate for very short intervals of time, so that the information becomes damaged and cannot be stored, making it even more difficult to recover the data.”