The exploration of a revolutionary concept that would radically change problem-solving, frequently referred to as ‘quantum supremacy’, was first put forward by John Preskill, a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology, in 2011. The term embodies a process in which quantum computers undertake problem-solving tasks that classical computers could not solve in their standard lifespan. The concept’s significance lies primarily in illuminating the superior speed and capacity of quantum computers over classical ones.
What Differentiates Quantum Computers?
Quantum computers deviate significantly from the typical binary digital electronic computers that rely on transistors—a semiconductor device implemented to augment or switch electronic signals and electrical power. While conventional computing requires data encoding into binary digits (bits)—each existing in one of two specific states (0 or 1)—quantum computation employs quantum bits (qubits).
The Role and Nature of Quantum Bit (Qubit)
In the realm of quantum computing, a quantum bit, or qubit, is regarded as the most basic unit of quantum information. Acting as the quantum counterpart to the traditional computer bit, qubits operate under two fundamental principles of quantum physics: superposition and entanglement.
Understanding Superposition and Entanglement
Superposition refers to the ability of each qubit to represent both a ‘1’ and a ‘0’ simultaneously. Further, entanglement suggests that qubits in a superposition state can correlate with each other, meaning the state of one qubit can hinge on the state of another. This connection persists regardless of the distance between the particles, such that actions performed on one particle impact the other—a phenomenon Albert Einstein famously dubbed “spooky action at a distance.”
With these principles at play, qubits function as more sophisticated switches, enabling quantum computers to operate in a manner that allows them to tackle complex issues unmanageable by contemporary computers.
Pivotal Findings in Quantum Computing
< table>
< tr>
< th>Year
< th>Study
< th>Results
< /tr>
< tr>
< td>2011
< td>Introduction of ‘Quantum Supremacy’
< td>Concept coined by John Preskill, emphasizes speed and problem-solving capabilities of quantum computers against classical ones.
< /tr>
< tr>
< td>Recent years
< td>Performance comparison of quantum processor and supercomputer ‘Summit’
< td>Quantum processor performed a calculation in 200 seconds, which ‘Summit’ would have taken 10,000 years to solve.
< /tr>
< /table>
The Technological Leap: Quantum vs. Classical Computing
The technological leap of quantum computing is evidenced by a research comparison of a quantum processor and the world’s fastest supercomputer, ‘Summit’. The study found that the quantum processor completed a calculation in 200 seconds—a task that ‘Summit’ would have required about 10,000 years to execute. This striking difference underscores the immense potential and superiority of quantum computing in the realm of advanced problem-solving.