QUANTUM COMPUTING

 

QUANTUM COMPUTING EXPLAINED

This article is about Quantum Computing. Does it exist, what can it do, its applications, and how does it work.

First of all, let's go back in time to where the idea of quantum computing was first conceived.

 

HISTORY OF QUANTUM COMPUTING:

The story of quantum computing will be incomplete without mentioning Richard Feynman. Quantum computing began back in 1981 when this famous physicist Feynman asked a question at a conference on physics and computation at the Institute of Technology in Massachusetts. His question was can we simulate physics on a computer? At that time the answer to this would have been something close to the negative or more like not precisely. The reason why quantum physics might not be simulated on a computer is that the full description of quantum physics has so many variables. This would be a problem because the computer would be unable to keep up with all the different variables. If one particle has to be described by two variables, more particles would mean even more variables. Thus, the information would be so much that computers would not have enough memory to handle them.

By the time Feynman asked this question many physicists knew the limitations and why it would not work but they were not thinking like Feynman was thinking. Feynman decided to turn this problem into something positive by proposing that they build a quantum mechanical computer. If they couldn't simulate quantum physics on a regular computer why not create one that would be better than the normal computers and would do something extraordinary. Over the next few years, nothing happened but Feynman wouldn't stop talking about his idea and soon enough he managed to get a small number of people thinking about his problem which is how the concept of quantum computing was born.

 

WHAT IS QUANTUM COMPUTING?

Quantum computing uses quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to perform computation. Computers that are capable of carrying out quantum computations are known as quantum computers. The study of quantum computing is referred to as quantum information science, this is where you can learn how to use a quantum computer to do quantum computation. Quantum computers can solve normal problems too. Computational problems like integer, factorization can be solved faster using a quantum computer instead of normal computers. Normal computers work using ones and zeros but quantum computers carry out tasks and solve problems based on the probability of an object state before it is measured.

HOW DOES QUANTUM COMPUTING WORKS:

Quantum computers work on the probability of the object's state before it is measured. They can process more data exponentially compared to normal computers.  Regular computers work with parameters that are gotten from the definite position of a physical state these parameters and measurements are usually binary that's why you have the ones and zeros. A single state like on or off each of its logical operations is base on one of these two positions. In quantum computers, it is way different operations are carried out using the quantum state of an object instead of its positions. When regular computers use the definite position to create ones and zeros known as bits. Quantum computers make qubits using an object quantum state. This qubit is the object's undefined property before it has been detected.

For example the photons polarization or the spin of an electron instead of having an exact position like normal computers. Quantum computers use superposition and entangle other objects superposition even if we do not know the outcome yet,  they would be mathematically related these entangled superpositions are then fed into special algorithms that would solve them in the fraction of the time that it would take regular computers to solve them. If they can even calculate them at all that is how a quantum computer works.

 

DOES QUANTUM COMPUTING EXIST

Since the inception of the concept of quantum computing corporations and tech companies have taken up Feynman's dream to build quantum computers. As of 2018 intel was already making chips for quantum computers, they were already creating software algorithms and programs and other things necessary for a quantum computer to run correctly and the technology hasn't even fully existed yet. Intel created 49 and 17 qubit superconducting test chips for quantum computing. The race to build quantum computers on as scientists anticipate all the possibilities that could be achieved with quantum computing. As the years go by the development of this kind of machine would take years and they are probably still a decade away from completion. But there are plenty of milestones between here and there.

  

QUBIT:

The basic unit of information in a quantum computer is the qubit (quantum bit). Quantum computers make qubits using an object quantum state. Most of the development process involves packing as many of these qubits as possible onto a processor chip. Qubits can perform many calculations at once but there are different types of qubits and some have to be kept in special conditions to work appropriately and sustainably. All qubits are very fragile that is a known fact. Some of them require temperatures 250 times colder than the temperature in deep space. In order to remain stable, a computer isn't all about the processor and the same goes for quantum computers. Other components would also go into the workings as quantum computing is doing differently from every other form of computing.

GOOGLE’S ESTIMATION ABOUT QUANTUM COMPUTING

A quantum computer might boast of massive processing and computing power but the process and technologies are so complicated that the progress is slow. In 2019, Google one of the most prominent tech pioneers published a landmark quantum supremacy and claim that their quantum computer is the first to perform an almost impossible calculation for normal computers. To solve this calculation in question would take the best normal computer 10 000 years to solve.

By Google's estimation, quantum supremacy is a milestone in quantum computing's overall development, because it proves that quantum computers can indeed outperform normal computers by an extensive margin. It is also proof that quantum computers can perform as envisioned and expected. A quantum physicist from Sydney Michelle Simmons says that Google has given us the first experimental evidence that the quantum speedup is achievable in a real-world system. This success that google claimed has not only prove for a specific case but is still a step in the right direction.

 

QUANTUM COMPUTING HONEYWELL SYSTEM MODEL H1

Honeywell's system model h1 with a measured quantum volume of 512, became the best performing quantum computer system in the whole world. The company has set several quantum volume records with respect to measured performance,

HISTORY OF HONEYWELL

Honeywell announced its first quantum computer in June 2020. The model home machine had a record quantum volume of 64.

Honeywell's announced a new h1 model in September 2020 that increase its quantum volume from 64 to a new record high of 128.

What is Quantum Volume? 

IBM developed QV in 2017 as a hardware-agnostic method. The purpose of this is to measure gate based performance of quantum computers and assist within the ongoing development of quantum computers.

Quantum volume is one among quantum benchmarking protocols. There are protocols for testing quantum devices of low-level for fabrication or for testing subsystems such as randomized benchmarking or holistic protocols. A holistic protocol is like the quantum volume that measures a quantum system's overall performance.

FACTORS AFFECTING QUANTUM COMPUTERS

The power of a quantum computer can't be increased by adding qubits alone. The following factors affect quantum computers.

1. The number of qubits.
2. Connectivity of qubits.
3. Gate fidelity crosstalk.
4. Circuit compiler efficiency.
5. And other features that affect a quantum computer.

As a complex operation involving probability and running a specific quantum circuit, protocol simplistically certain quantum circuits must be optimized. Then run numerous times to see if a high percentage of the outcomes are above a specified level.

In Honeywell's case, it ran 300 circuits 20 times apiece to find out that the model h1 had a quantum volume of 512. While the process is complex one of QV's benefits is interpreting the final rock quantum volume number is simply the larger the QV, the more powerful the machine. More information is on Honeywell about the model h1.

TECHNOLOGIES USED FOR QUANTUM QUBITS

Many technologies are used for quantum qubits.

The Honeywell model h1 uses ytterbium ions for computations and barium ions for cooling, it pioneered the use of Quantum Charge-Coupled Device (QCCD), an advanced trapped ion architecture. It allows the movement of ions & parallel gate operations across multiple zones.

According to Tony Utley president of Honeywell quantum solutions, QCCD (Quantum Charge-Coupled Device) is an architecture robust enough to support future generations of Honeywell quantum processors. It is important that QCCD can support future operations necessary to implement quantum error correction. Error correction is critical for all quantum computing systems.

FEATURES

The features of model h1 with 10 connected qubits includes:

High fidelity, mid-circuit measurements, very low crosstalk, and also conditional feedback.

 

APPLICATIONS

• Quantum computing algorithms would help solve complex mathematical problems or produce codes that would be almost impossible to break.
• They could also be used to predict multiple particle interactions and chemical reactions. This would mean that quantum computers would carry out tasks and solve problems that normal computers are equipped to solve more efficiently and faster.
• They promise to help scientists formulate new materials, create more secure data encryption and near-perfect security.
• Also promises to help predict climate change.

 

CONCLUSION

No one can't say outright yes to quantum computing that it exists now. Google's achievement is like a hello world program, this program is usually used to test a new system. The program is run on the system asking the system to display those words while the program itself has no use and serves no purpose to the system's functionality, it tells you that the system is working correctly. So Google's achievement is proof that quantum computing is possible and is within our grasp it means that quantum hardware and software would and is working correctly.