In the current issue of The Economist, under the Science & Technology section, there's an article about the latest research in the field of quantum computing ("One qubit at a time"). The scope of this avant-garde technology, though in its nascent stages of development, is awesome. For eg., "A quantum computer with two qubits could run four calculations in parallel.... A 1,000-qubit device could process more simultaneous calculations than there are particles in the observable universe." Now, this would be a tremendous help for scientists grappling with gargantuan data.
In the past few decades, computers have become more compact and considerably faster in performing their task, but the task remains the same: to manipulate and interpret an encoding of binary bits into a useful computational result. We all know, that a bit is a fundamental unit of information, classically represented as a 0 or 1 in a digital computer. Herein lies a key difference between a classical computer and a quantum computer. A quantum computer is a device that harnesses a qubit which can hold a one, or a zero, or a superposition of these.
Source: The Economist
Quantum computation is not a recent idea. It was explored for the first time during 70s by Richard Feynman among others physicists. He produced an abstract model in 1982 that showed how a quantum system could be used to do computations. He also explained how such a machine would be able to act as a simulator for quantum physics. Since then promising advancements have been made in this field but "...so far only small-scale devices have been demonstrated, and many of these need to be kept in strictly defined conditions. One reason for this sensitivity is that qubits can maintain their quantum superposition only if they do not interact with other objects. They must thus be isolated from their surroundings." Another challenge is to produce 'Quantum hardware': an enviornment that is conducive for quantum computing.
So far the research has been in the right direction and it's a matter of time before "quantum computers will emerge as the superior computational devices at the very least, and perhaps one day make today's modern computer obsolete." (The Quantum Computer by Jacob West). I am wondering how will the Intels, the Microsofts and the IBMs respond to this 'disruptive innovation'? What exciting uses will emerge from this new technology? Who will be the winners and who will be the laggards? Only time will answer these questions but I won't be surprised if my daughter uses a 'quantum computer' by the time she's in her college.
3 comments:
Trust physicists to outrun everyone else..
The drawing of the scientist in labcoat making observations of his strange new creation is a flashback to the good 'ol days before the transistor was invented.. Mind you, at that time this is exactly what physicists were doing.. tinkering with some new found ideas to make calculations easier..At that time they came up with 'valves' (diodes, triodes etc..which was also an outcome of the tremendous strides made in quantum physics). The computers they came up with then, looked remarkably similar to the idea depicted in the drawing..
The user base of these early machines evolved rapidly from Quantum physicists to Mathematicians to Computer scientists and then the 'so-called' geeks and now finally the mom&pops of the world..
So, what you predict just might happen all over again and your daughter could get the latest machine with the fastest processor ever for her 21st b'day! Start saving up pal ;)
It sounds exciting, but it is a long way from now. There is a big problem in practical realization of quantum computing. The problem is that it is practically impossible (at-least today) to isolate the computer from environment - which messes up its innards. Technically it is called Decoherence. Check the link in WIKIPEDIA . So I think your daughter has no chance to mess with a working quantum comp. It is in the realm of speculation right now.
I get conflicting responses from two "techie friends"--- Tanmoy & Samvit. I do agree with Samvit about the Decoherence problem related with a quantum computer (Q.C.). Scientists right now are trying hard to find a soultion to it and other technical problems associated with a Q.C. But I am sanguine about this entire experiment because in the history of science many a breakthroughs have resulted despite dismal hope of their ever coming true. The scientists who developed the Quantum theory were themselves iconoclastic and challenged the basic assumptions of prevalent scientific models of their time. I won't be surprised if a breakthrough in near future makes Q.C. a reality.
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