Quantum Computing: Understand The Future Of Computers And Their Main Applications

Quantum Computing: Understand the future of computers and their main applications

Quantum computers already exist, but their applications are restricted to business, scientific and medical environments. Understand what these supermachines are and how they work:

We live in the age of technology, but there is still much to come. In recent years, large companies have taken small – but important steps – ahead in quantum computing, which seems to revolutionize the world as we know it. The following selection of potential applications will affect everything from mobility to healthcare.

In a binary world composed of ones and zeros, quantum computers would be like Albert Einstein of computing, with extraordinary electronic brains capable of completing tasks that would be almost impossible for ordinary computers. The multinational IBM will be the first to commercialize this wonderful technology with the Q System One, a 3 x 3 meter glass cube with 20 qubits presented in 2019 that will be made available to companies and researchers.

WHAT IS QUANTUM COMPUTING?

This branch of computer science is based on the principles of matter superposition and quantum entanglement and uses a different computation method than the traditional one. In theory, it would be able to store many more states per unit of information and operate with much more efficient algorithms at the numerical level, such as Shor or quantum annealing.

This new generation of supercomputers uses knowledge of quantum mechanics – the area of physics that studies atomic and subatomic particles – to overcome the limitations of classical computing. Although, in practice, quantum computing faces evident problems with respect to scalability and inconsistency, it makes it possible to perform several simultaneous operations and eliminates the effect of the tunnel that limits current nanometer scale programming.

Quantum Computing - Understand the future of computers and their main applications — Quantum Computing – Quantum Computer – Microsoft Quantum Team

WHAT IS A QUBIT?

Quantum computing uses the qubit as the basic unit of information and not the conventional bit. The main feature of this alternative system is that it allows for the coherent superposition of ones and zeros, the digits of the binary system around which all computation revolves. Bits, on the other hand, can have only one value at a time – one or zero.

This aspect of quantum technology means that a qubit can be zero and one at the same time, and in different proportions. This multiplicity of states makes it possible for a quantum computer with just 30 qubits, for example, to perform 10 billion floating point operations per second, which is about 5.8 billion more than the most powerful PlayStation video game console on the market.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN QUANTUM AND TRADITIONAL COMPUTING

Quantum and traditional computing are two parallel worlds with some similarities and many differences, such as using qubits instead of bits. Let’s take a look at three of the most significant:

Programming language

Quantum computing does not have its own programming code and requires the development and implementation of very specific algorithms. However, traditional computing has standardized languages like Java, SQL and Python, to name just a few.

Functionality

Quantum computers are not intended for widespread daily use, unlike personal computers (PCs). These supercomputers are so complex that they can only be used in the corporate, scientific and technological fields.

Architecture

Quantum computers have a simpler architecture than conventional computers and have no memory or processor. The equipment consists only of a set of qubits that makes it work.

CONDITIONS OF OPERATION OF A QUANTUM COMPUTER

These computers are extremely sensitive and require very specific temperature and insulation pressure and conditions to operate correctly. When these machines interact with external particles, measurement errors and erasure of state overlaps occur, which is why they are sealed and need to be operated using conventional computers.

Quantum computers should have almost no atmospheric pressure, an ambient temperature close to absolute zero (-273 ° C) and isolation from the Earth’s magnetic field to prevent atoms from moving, colliding or interacting with the environment. In addition, these systems operate only for very short intervals, so that the information is damaged and cannot be stored, making data recovery even more difficult.

MAIN USES OF QUANTUM COMPUTING

Computer security, biomedicine, the development of new materials and economics are among the fields that can be revolutionized by advances in quantum computing. These are some of the more substantial benefits:

Finance

Companies would further optimize their investment portfolios and improve fraud detection and simulation systems.

Cheers

This sector would benefit from the development of new drugs and genetically personalized treatments, as well as from DNA research.

Cybersecurity

Quantum programming involves risks but also advances in data encryption , such as the new Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system. This is a new technique for sending confidential information that uses light signals to detect intruders in the system.

Mobility and transport

Companies like Airbus use quantum computing to design more efficient aircraft. Qubits will also allow for significant progress in traffic planning and route optimization systems.

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Quantum Computing: Understand the future of computers and their main applications