The technology behind everyday computers such as smartphones and laptops has revolutionised modern life, to the extent that our day-to-day lives are unimaginable without it. But an alternative method of computing is advancing rapidly, and Boris Johnson is among the people who have noticed. He will need to push the boundaries of his linguistic dexterity to explain it.
Quantum computing is based on quantum physics, which looks at how the subatomic particles that make up the universe work. Last week, the prime minister promised the UK would go big on quantum computing by building a general-purpose quantum computer, and secure 50% of the global quantum computing market by 2040. The UK will need to get a move on though: big steps have been taken in the field this year by the technology superpowers of China and the US.
Peter Leek, a lecturer and quantum computing expert at Oxford University, says classical computing (the common term for computing as we know it) has been an incredible 20th-century achievement, but the way we process information in computers now still doesnt take full advantage of the laws of physics as we know them.
Work on quantum physics, however, has given us a new and more powerful way of processing information. If you can use the principles of quantum physics to process information then you can do a range of types of calculations that you cannot do with normal computers, says Leek.
Classical computers encode their information in bits represented as a 0 or a 1 that are transmitted as an electrical pulse. A text message, email or even a Netflix film streamed on your phone is a string of these bits. In quantum computers, however, the information is contained in a quantum bit, or qubit. These qubits encased in a modestly sized chip are particles such as electrons or photons that can be in several states at the same time, a property of quantum physics known as superposition. This means qubits can encode various combinations of 1s and 0s at the same time and compute their way through vast numbers of different outcomes.
If you compared a piece of memory in a normal computer, it is in a unique state of ones and zeroes, ordered in a specific way. In a quantum computer that memory can be simultaneously in all possible states of ones and zeroes, says Leek.
To really harness this power requires an entanglement of pairs of qubits: if you double the number of qubits the computing power increases exponentially. Link these entangled qubit pairs together and you get a very powerful computer that can crunch through numbers at unprecedented speed, provided there is a quantum algorithm (the set of instructions followed by the computer) for the calculation you want to do.
Jay Gambetta, a VP of quantum computing at IBM, which last week unveiled the worlds most powerful quantum processor, says: The combined system has a computational power that is much more than the individual systems. The computer firms US-made Eagle quantum processor a type of computer chip strings together 127 qubits compared with the 66 achieved recently by the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei.
Gambetta stresses that the practical applications of quantum computers are not there yet, but theoretically they could have exciting uses like helping design new chemicals, drugs and alloys. Quantum computing could result in a much more efficient representation of chemical compounds, says Gambetta, predicting accurately what a complex molecule might do and paving the way for new drugs and materials. It gives us a way to model nature better, he adds.
There are ways in which quantum computing could help combat global heating, too, says Gambetta, by more efficiently separating carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon monoxide, reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Alternatively, quantum computing could help understand how we can make fertiliser by using much less energy.
Last year, IBM teamed up with German carmaker Daimler, the parent of Mercedes-Benz, to use quantum computing to model new lithium batteries. Renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, electric cars, fertiliser: if these are just some of the products that can be enhanced by quantum computing, then the UK understandably wants to be at the forefront of the market.
Once quantum computing reaches the 1,000 qubit level it should be able to achieve what IBM calls quantum advantage, where a quantum computer consistently solves problems faster than a classical computer. IBM is hoping to reach 1,000 qubits via its Condor processor in 2023.
The UKs strong university system and long history of innovation, epitomised by Alan Turing in computing and Paul Dirac in quantum mechanics gives the country some hope of achieving Johnsons goal. But Gambettas IBM colleague Bob Sutor says that for the UK and other countries ambitious in making advances in quantum computing, educations and skills are key at university level and below, including schools. The more people working on it, the faster we will get there.
Excerpt from:
The next giant leap: why Boris Johnson wants to go big ...
- D-Wave Introduces New Fast Anneal Feature, Extending Quantum Computing Performance Gains - Yahoo Finance - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Major First: Quantum Information Produced, Stored, And Retrieved - ScienceAlert - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Establish First-of-a-Kind Hardware Testbed - The Quantum Insider - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Cloud Computing Secured in New Breakthrough at Oxford - TechRepublic - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Could be the Next Revolution - Fair Observer - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Pioneer Multi-Vendor Quantum Hardware Testbed - HPCwire - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- These 10 quantum computing companies have pulled in the most VC cash - PitchBook News & Analysis - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- D-Wave Launches Fast Anneal Feature for Enhanced Quantum Computing Performance - Quantum Computing Report - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Software Specialist Horizon Quantum to Build First-of-a-Kind Hardware Testbed - HPCwire - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Illuminating Futures: Celebrating Achievements and Exploring Quantum Computing at This is IT! Event - Royal Examiner - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Establish First-of-a-Kind Hardware Testbed - The Bakersfield Californian - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- A Weakness in One of the NIST PQC Algorithms Was Not Uncovered After All - Quantum Computing Report - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Commodore 64 claimed to outperform IBM's quantum system sarcastic researchers say 1 MHz computer is faster ... - Tom's Hardware - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum computing: a new frontier for the broadcast and media industry - RedShark News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 3 Steps Businesses Should Take to Prepare for Quantum Computing Disruption - TechSpective - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Orientum Publishes 'Quantum Finance Algorithm' Paper on ArXiv - The Quantum Insider - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Linear Solvers for Redundant Baseline Calibration - AZoQuantum - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Almost very close' to nuclear weapon: Federal cyber officials brace for quantum computing surprise - Washington Times - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- D-Wave fast anneal extends quantum computing performance ... - eeNews Europe - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Horizon Quantum Computing to Set Up Its Own Hardware Testbed for Tight Integration Between the Hardware and Software Stacks - Quantum Computing Report - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Global Quantum Technology Market Research 2024-2029 with Assessment of Companies Focused on Quantum ... - Daily Host News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- The experimental demonstration of a verifiable blind quantum computing protocol - Phys.org - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Researchers create 'quantum drums' to store qubits one step closer to groundbreaking internet speed and security - Tom's Hardware - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Access to burgeoning quantum technology field could be widened by educational model - Phys.org - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Quantum memory' could make the internet super fast and secure - Futurity: Research News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Senate bill aims to bring more private sector participation to federal AI innovation - Nextgov/FCW - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Leaps Forward with Groundbreaking Error Correction - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum Pave the Way for Reliable Quantum Computing - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Breakthrough in Quantum Information Communication Achieved by Tokyo Researchers - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft Advances in Quantum Computing with Error-Reduction Breakthrough - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Quantinuum H2 Paves the Way for Reliable Quantum Computing - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Why Quantum Computers Will Never Break Bitcoin - Palm Beach Research Group - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum boast quantum computing breakthrough - DIGIT.FYI - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum announce breakthrough in quantum computing 14 thousand experiments without errors - ITC - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Revolutionizing Quantum Computing: Breakthroughs in Quantum Error Correction - AZoQuantum - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Recharged With Electromagnetic Ion Trap Innovation - SciTechDaily - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Next-Generation Quantum Leap Achieved by Microsoft and Quantinuum - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Microsoft and Quantinuum announce development of next-generation technology that reduces 'noise' by 800 times ... - GIGAZINE - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- BTQ Technologies Corp. Partners with the Australian Quantum Software Network to Advance Quantum Computing and ... - PR Newswire - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Quantinuum and Microsoft Leap towards Quantum Superiority with Noise Reduction Breakthrough - yTech - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- The 3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in Q2 2024 - InvestorPlace - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- What Are the Implications of Quantum Computing for the Future of Data Security? - socPub - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Cosmic rays, XR, and 'multiverse' quantum computing welcome to EIC's deeptech Scaling Club - TNW - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Wall Street Favorites: 3 Quantum Computing Stocks with Strong Buy Ratings for February 2024 - InvestorPlace - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Never-Repeating Tiles Can Safeguard Quantum Information - Quanta Magazine - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Fractional Electrons: MIT's New Graphene Breakthrough Is Shaping the Future of Quantum Computing - SciTechDaily - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Qubits are notoriously prone to failure but building them from a single laser pulse may change this - Livescience.com - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- New Phase of Matter Created During Experiments with Exotic Particles in Quantum Processor - The Debrief - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Harnessing the Power of Neutrality: Comparing Neutral-Atom Quantum Computing With Other Modalities - The Quantum Insider - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Apple is already defending iMessage against tomorrow's quantum computing attacks - The Verge - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Government of Canada Supports Xanadu to Accelerate Quantum Computing Research and Education - HPCwire - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- U.S. weighs National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act - TechTarget - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- The Current State of Quantum Computing - Securities.io - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Superconducting qubit promises breakthrough in quantum computing - Advanced Science News - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Breakthrough: New Fusion of Materials Has All the Components Required for a Unique Type of ... - SciTechDaily - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks That Could Be Multibaggers in the Making: February Edition - InvestorPlace - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- DCD Podcast - The fundamentals of quantum computing, with Yuval Boger, QuEra - DCD - DatacenterDynamics - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Apple to launch PQ3 update for iMessage, bolstering encryption against quantum computing - ReadWrite - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Illinois governor's proposed $53B budget includes funds for migrants, quantum computing and schools - The Associated Press - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- How is Quantum Technology Developing in Ireland? A Conversation with John Durcan, IDA Ireland - AZoQuantum - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Quantum Poker: The States of Colorado and Illinois are Betting on Quantum - Quantum Computing Report - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- One of those transformational investments: $15M brings quantum computing to SC - WIS News 10 - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Apple is future-proofing iMessage with post-quantum cryptography - Cointelegraph - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Singapore warns banks to prepare for quantum computing cyber threat - Finextra - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- New Superconducting Flowermon Superconducting Qubit Designed to Greatly Increase Coherence Times - Quantum Computing Report - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Apple Ramps Up iMessage Security to Fight Looming Quantum Computing Threat - PCMag - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- IONQ Stock Outlook: Why This Quantum Computing Play Could Be a Long-Term Winner - InvestorPlace - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Apple future-proofing iMessage to protect against the scary future of quantum computing hacking - TechRadar - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Apple to upgrade iMessage with measures against future quantum computing hacking - The Indian Express - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- FedDev Ontario invests $17 million in 12 companies to advance quantum computing - IT World Canada - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- Apple Bolsters iMessage Encryption Amid Quantum Computing Threats - Telecom Lead - February 26th, 2024 [February 26th, 2024]
- The 3 Most Undervalued Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in January - InvestorPlace - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- The Week's 10 Biggest Funding Rounds: Quantinuum And Flexport Lock Up Huge Rounds - Crunchbase News - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- US users top list after Chinas state-of-the-art quantum computer goes global - South China Morning Post - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- Mitsui to invest in Quantinuum, a leading global quantum computing company, and sign a distributorship agreement for ... - Mitsui - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- Breakthrough in quantum computing with stable room temperature qubits - Advanced Science News - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- Why IONQ Is Not a Stock to Buy (Yet) - InvestorPlace - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- Davos and the global state of quantum - POLITICO - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- High-Frequency Transactions: Collaborating with Quantum AI? Features Film Threat - Film Threat - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]
- Quantum Computing: Revolution on the Horizon? | by Shan | Jan, 2024 - Medium - January 21st, 2024 [January 21st, 2024]