Quantum Computing is a branch of Technology that utilizes the physics principals of Quantum Mechanics,

It is said to be a game changer, for a classical Computer to decrypt an enigma, it would take forever, but with a Quantum computer, it claims it would be able to decrypt it in seconds due to its ‘unique’ processing style.

So, are these Quantum computers just super charged computers? Well, the answer is No, here’s why, But first, here’s a quick explanation on how normal ‘Classical Computers’ work.

Classical Computers and Bits

Classical Computers work on Transistors (Electromechanical transistors) they are a type of micro-Semiconductor, they are typically made of Silicon/Germanium, In simple terms, these are nothing but switches that can either be on or off, they represent 1s and 0s respectively, these 1s and 0s are called bits, These Transistors are on the CPU, which is responsible for all of the processing of the computer, there are usually billions of Transistors on a CPU,

In recent days, Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly popular, one use of it is making incredibly small Transistors so that the CPU can have more power.

Qubits

The term Qubit (Quantum bit) is literally the Quantum computers version of a Bit, Classical computers run on Classical Bits whereas Quantum computers run on quantum bits.

The two red and blue dots on the left show how a normal Bit works, 2 States only, one dot can either be red or blue, up or down, 1 or 0.

But, on the right, it shows that one dot has both 1 and 0 Hemispheres.

These Qubits are nothing but Atoms specifically Rydberg atoms, they represent the rotation of electrons within the hemispheres, nowadays they have also looked at using the Nucleus of an Atom instead, for example the Kane computer used a phosphorus atom that was embedded into a silicon lattice as a Qubit.

As we know the components of Atoms move in an unpredictable fashion because they have Lots of Energy within them in the form of Heat,

But to make them move in a controlled fashion, engineers at Google and IBM make their Quantum Computer reside in an environment that is Cold as Outer-Space (or close), this is near 0 Kelvins, when anything is at this temperature, there is virtually no energy within it, which means that the atoms will move relatively slower than at room temperature, making it easier to deal with.

Chinese Quantum Engineers have developed New methods of utilising Light (photons)

Light also plays a central role in other platforms for quantum computing and simulation, from control of individual atomic qubits to remote entanglement of separate processing nodes, along with an important role in communications and other long-distance networks. “Light in quantum computing and simulation: perspective”

The Latest Chinese Quantum computer Jiuzhang quantum computer reportedly surpassed Google’s Sycamore supercomputer by 10 billion times in 2020.

what is Quantum Mechanics?

What is Quantum mechanics? this is a fundamental of physics that aims to explain the behaviour of nature below the scale of atoms, It describes that subatomic particles such as photons and quarks can live as both particles and waves.

One principle of Quantum mechanics is the concept of Superposition, this idea is that and object can have all possible states at the same time, until it is measured

For example, we can look at Schrödinger’s cat

Scientist Erwin Schrödinger created this idea to visualize the concept of superposition, The basic concept is, A cat is put into a lead box, and we throw in a glass capsule of cyanide into it and seal the box, we do not know if the glass has shattered and if the cat is alive or not, until we open the box, the cat is in a superposition of states, it is both dead and alive, it is only until we open the box, we will know if it’s actually dead or alive, one of the states is disproven, Similarly, when we flip a coin, it could be one of 2 states (heads/tails), while it is spinning in the air, it is both heads and tails, it’s in a superposition of states, it is only until it lands, one of the states will be disproven.

Qubits and SuperPosition

Now quantum computers use Qubits with the same concept of superposition, A Qubit can be both 1 and 0 until it is proven,

for example, a 5-bit binary number, 11111, if there was a hidden combination within these digits, we’d have to go through a great number of combinations before finding it, but with superposition, all the digits can be both 1 and 0 at the same time and all the combinations have the correct answer and the wrong one at the same time, and instead of trying them out separately, they are all tried out at once.

Entanglement

This principle states that each of a pair of qubits share a single quantum state which means that they influence each other,

when one qubit changes state, the other one will change immediately, this works over huge differences, no one knows how it works, even Einstein said it was ‘a spooky action at a distance’

In a quantum computer, Entanglement provides a substantial increase in it’s computing power.

Noise

The Quantum state of the qubit is super fragile, the slightest vibration or a slight change in temperature will cause a change in the superposition of states, this factor is called ‘noise’ and causes plenty of errors in the calculations of the Quantum Computer.

The End

This is a very large area of Computing and Physics, Definitely to large to fit into one article, but this is just a basic summary of it, I hope this helps at least someone to understand the Concept of Qubits, Leave any Recommendations in the comments or DM my on Instagram,

直到我們再次見面 (Until we meet again) ~ Gdsimpson3 Out.