On Oct. 23, 2019, Google published a paper in the journal Nature entitled Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor. The tech giant announced its achievement of a much vaunted goal: quantum supremacy.
This perhaps ill-chosen term (coined by physicist John Preskill) is meant to convey the huge speedup that processors based on quantum-mechanical systems are predicted to exhibit, relative to even the fastest classical computers.
Googles benchmark was achieved on a new type of quantum processor, code-named Sycamore, consisting of 54 independently addressable superconducting junction devices (of which only 53 were working for the demonstration).
Each of these devices allows the storage of one bit of quantum information. In contrast to the bits in a classical computer, which can only store one of two states (0 or 1 in the digital language of binary code), a quantum bit qbit can store information in a coherent superposition state which can be considered to contain fractional amounts of both 0 and 1.
Sycamore uses technology developed by the superconductivity research group of physicist John Martinis at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The entire Sycamore system must be kept cold at cryogenic temperatures using special helium dilution refrigeration technology. Because of the immense challenge involved in keeping such a large system near the absolute zero of temperature, it is a technological tour de force.
The Google researchers demonstrated that the performance of their quantum processor in sampling the output of a pseudo-random quantum circuit was vastly better than a classical computer chip like the kind in our laptops could achieve. Just how vastly became a point of contention, and the story was not without intrigue.
An inadvertent leak of the Google groups paper on the NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) occurred a month prior to publication, during the blackout period when Nature prohibits discussion by the authors regarding as-yet-unpublished papers. The lapse was momentary, but long enough that The Financial Times, The Verge and other outlets picked up the story.
A well-known quantum computing blog by computer scientist Scott Aaronson contained some oblique references to the leak. The reason for this obliqueness became clear when the paper was finally published online and Aaronson could at last reveal himself to be one of the reviewers.
The story had a further controversial twist when the Google groups claims were immediately countered by IBMs quantum computing group. IBM shared a preprint posted on the ArXiv (an online repository for academic papers that have yet to go through peer review) and a blog post dated Oct. 21, 2019 (note the date!).
While the Google group had claimed that a classical (super)computer would require 10,000 years to simulate the same 53-qbit random quantum circuit sampling task that their Sycamore processor could do in 200 seconds, the IBM researchers showed a method that could reduce the classical computation time to a mere matter of days.
However, the IBM classical computation would have to be carried out on the worlds fastest supercomputer the IBM-developed Summit OLCF-4 at Oak Ridge National Labs in Tennessee with clever use of secondary storage to achieve this benchmark.
While of great interest to researchers like myself working on hardware technologies related to quantum information, and important in terms of establishing academic bragging rights, the IBM-versus-Google aspect of the story is probably less relevant to the general public interested in all things quantum.
For the average citizen, the mere fact that a 53-qbit device could beat the worlds fastest supercomputer (containing more than 10,000 multi-core processors) is undoubtedly impressive. Now we must try to imagine what may come next.
The reality of quantum computing today is that very impressive strides have been made on the hardware front. A wide array of credible quantum computing hardware platforms now exist, including ion traps, superconducting device arrays similar to those in Googles Sycamore system and isolated electrons trapped in NV-centres in diamond.
These and other systems are all now in play, each with benefits and drawbacks. So far researchers and engineers have been making steady technological progress in developing these different hardware platforms for quantum computing.
What has lagged quite a bit behind are custom-designed algorithms (computer programs) designed to run on quantum computers and able to take full advantage of possible quantum speed-ups. While several notable quantum algorithms exist Shors algorithm for factorization, for example, which has applications in cryptography, and Grovers algorithm, which might prove useful in database search applications the total set of quantum algorithms remains rather small.
Much of the early interest (and funding) in quantum computing was spurred by the possibility of quantum-enabled advances in cryptography and code-breaking. A huge number of online interactions ranging from confidential communications to financial transactions require secure and encrypted messages, and modern cryptography relies on the difficulty of factoring large numbers to achieve this encryption.
Quantum computing could be very disruptive in this space, as Shors algorithm could make code-breaking much faster, while quantum-based encryption methods would allow detection of any eavesdroppers.
The interest various agencies have in unbreakable codes for secure military and financial communications has been a major driver of research in quantum computing. It is worth noting that all these code-making and code-breaking applications of quantum computing ignore to some extent the fact that no system is perfectly secure; there will always be a backdoor, because there will always be a non-quantum human element that can be compromised.
More appealing for the non-espionage and non-hacker communities in other words, the rest of us are the possible applications of quantum computation to solve very difficult problems that are effectively unsolvable using classical computers.
Ironically, many of these problems emerge when we try to use classical computers to solve quantum-mechanical problems, such as quantum chemistry problems that could be relevant for drug design and various challenges in condensed matter physics including a number related to high-temperature superconductivity.
So where are we in the wonderful and wild world of quantum computation?
In recent years, we have had many convincing demonstrations that qbits can be created, stored, manipulated and read using a number of futuristic-sounding quantum hardware platforms. But the algorithms lag. So while the prospect of quantum computing is fascinating, it will likely be a long time before we have quantum equivalents of the silicon chips that power our versatile modern computing devices.
[ Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter. ]
More:
Google claims to have invented a quantum computer, but IBM begs to differ - The Conversation CA
- Reaching absolute zero for quantum computing now much quicker thanks to breakthrough refrigerator design - Livescience.com - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- Why These 3 Quantum Computing Stocks Are Worth the Risk - The Motley Fool - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- D-Wave Quantum Set to Join Russell 3000 Index - HPCwire - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Be Millionaire-Makers: May - InvestorPlace - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- Amazon taps Finland's IQM for its first EU quantum computing service - TNW - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- Here Come the Qubits? What You Should Know About the Onset of Quantum Computing - IPWatchdog.com - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- On Location at IBM Think 2024: The AI Revolution and Quantum Computing Advances - Acceleration Economy - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- The power of Quantum Computing - The Cryptonomist - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- ISC 2024 A Few Quantum Gems and Slides from a Packed QC Agenda - HPCwire - May 29th, 2024 [May 29th, 2024]
- 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]