Quantum Computers

Quantum Computers

Quantum computing relies on qubits, bits that are held in superposition and use quantum principles to complete calculations. The information captured or generated by a quantum system benefits from the ability of qubits to be in more than one physical state at a time (superposition), but there is information decay in capturing the state of the system. Quantum superposition, entanglement, and interference. One point that will be immediately relevant to the discussion is that quantum computers are not universally better than classical computers as a result. A quantum computer can do a certain task better than classical computers, perhaps one that is impossible to do in any reasonable timeframe with classical computers. Quantum technology approaches: superconducting, trapped ions, photonics, and silicon. 

IBM wants to build a 100,000-qubit quantum computer.  The company wants to make large-scale quantum computers a reality within just 10 years. IBM is set to release its most powerful quantum processor, the 1,121-qubit Condor chip, later this year. IBM to build 100K qubit quantum supercomputer with University of Tokyo and University of Chicago.

IBM intends to scale up its quantum computer to over 4,000 qubits by 2025 and beyond. IBM’s quantum roadmap essentially consists of two additional stages — the 1,121-qubit Condor and 1,386-qubit Flamingo processors in 2023 and 2024, respectively. We will introduce the 462-qubit “Flamingo” processor with a built-in quantum communication link, and then release a demonstration of this architecture by linking together at least three Flamingo processors into a 1,386-qubit system. IBM plans to hit the 4,000-qubit stage with its Kookaburra processor in 2025. Kookaburra will be a 1,386 qubit multi-chip processor with a quantum communication link. As a demonstration, we will connect three Kookaburra chips into a 4,158-qubit system connected by quantum communication for our users.

IBM watsonx Korea Quantum Computing (KQC) deal sealed installing an IBM Quantum System Two right in their Busan site. KQC is also diving into the world of Red Hat OpenShift AI for management and runtime, and they’re exploring the frontiers of generative AI technologies with the WatsonX platform. These are the tools that will fuel the next wave of innovation and efficiency in AI. Korean companies in finance, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals are joining the fray, eager to collaborate on research that leverages AI and quantum computing.

Quantum computers could soon connect over longer distances. For the technology to be used in future communications networks, researchers have developed a novel method of connecting quantum devices over great distances. Quantum repeaters are poised to become crucial in connecting distant quantum computers and enhancing security in communication networks in the future. The idea involves repeaters that transmit light that is telecom-ready thanks to one ion that has been inserted into a crystal. 

Key innovation in photonic components could transform supercomputing technology. Programmable photonic processors promise to outperform conventional supercomputers, offering faster, more efficient and massively parallel computing capabilities. The microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) at the heart of the new advance are tiny components that can interconvert optical, electronic, and mechanical changes to perform the variety of communication and mechanical functions needed by an integrated circuit.

PsiQuantum Has A Goal For Its Million Qubit Photonic Quantum Computer To Outperform Every Supercomputer On The Planet. PsiQuantum was founded on the belief that photonics was the right technology for building a fault tolerant quantum machine with a million qubits and that the proper approach was based on semiconductor manufacturing.

Google Unveils New Quantum Computer Willow With Mind-Boggling Speed. Alphabet Inc.’s quantum computer needs just five minutes to solve a problem that would take supercomputers around 10 septillion years. Google said its computer using the new Willow quantum chip beat the Frontier supercomputer in running a benchmark algorithm, doing in minutes what would take Frontier 10 septillion years.

Quantum applications today

Technologies that rely on quantum phenomena are all around us. The first wave of quantum technologies gave us the transistor. These devices became the foundation of modern computers and digital communication. Other examples of technologies powered by quantum mechanics include:

MRI scanners for medical imaging

Lasers

Solar cells

Electron microscopes

Atomic clocks used for GPS

Quantum Computing 

Simulating the behavior at the quantum level. Classical computers can simulate a quantum system but struggle to do so above 50 particles, or qubits; above 100 qubits.

Here are several practical applications of quantum computing we could see in the future:

AI and machine learning (ML). The capability of calculating solutions to problems simultaneously, as opposed to sequentially, has huge potential for AI and ML. Organizations today use AI and ML to discover ways to automate and optimize tasks. When used in combination with quantum computing, optimization can happen much faster and at scale, especially when processing and analyzing highly complex or even unstructured big data sets.

Financial modeling. With the modeling capabilities of quantum computing, financial organizations could use the technology to better model the behavior of investments and securities at scale. This could help reduce risk, optimize large-scale portfolios and help financial organizations better understand the trends and movements of the global financial economy.

Cybersecurity. Quantum computing could have a direct impact on privacy and encryption. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the cybersecurity landscape, quantum computers could help keep­­ data encrypted while in use, providing both in-transit and at-rest protections.

Route and traffic optimization. Optimal route planning is key to smooth supply chain logistics and transportation. The biggest challenge is harnessing all the real-time data -- from changing weather patterns to traffic flow -- that affects this planning. This is where quantum computers can excel. They could process all that data in real time and adjust routes for an entire fleet of vehicles at once, putting each on the optimal path forward.

Manufacturing. Quantum computers can run more accurate and realistic prototyping and testing. In the manufacturing space, this could help reduce the cost of prototyping and result in better designs that don't need as much testing.

Drug and chemical research. Quantum computers can create better models for how atoms interact with one another, leading to a superior and more precise understanding of molecular structure. This may directly impact drug and chemical research and impact the way new products and medicines are developed. The predictive power of quantum computers could also provide foresight into how chemical compounds and drugs would develop, evolve and interact with other elements over time.

Batteries. Quantum computing could help manufacturers better understand how to incorporate new materials into products such as batteries and semiconductors. This could provide more insight into how to optimize batteries for longevity and efficiency. Quantum computing can also help manufacturers gain a better understanding of lithium compounds and battery chemistry. For example, quantum computing could tap into and understand how the docking energy of proteins works, which results in better batteries for electric vehicles.

Key areas where quantum computing could be applied:

The Linux Foundation and its partners are working on cryptography for the post-quantum world

CRYSTALS-Kyber is designed for general encryption purposes, such as creating secure websites. 

CRYSTALS-Dilithium is designed to protect the digital signatures we use when signing documents remotely.

SPHINCS+ is also designed for digital signatures.

FALCON is another, less mature, algorithm for digital signatures.