Are you celebrating World Quantum Day on April 14? This holiday promotes public understanding of quantum science and technology worldwide.
Although computers are getting smaller and more powerful, we are rapidly approaching the physical limits of the size of computer parts. As a result, new solutions must be developed. This is where quantum computing comes in.
Discover what quantum computing is and its benefits.
What Is Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing focuses on developing technology that capitalizes on the ways energy and matter behave at the subatomic level. A quantum computer uses these unique properties of quantum physics to solve problems that are too complex for other computers.
Quantum describes the laws of physics relevant to individual atoms, electrons, and elementary particles. Quantum computing works to manipulate and control these elements to perform tasks and computations that current computers cannot.
How Does Quantum Computing Work?
Describing the key concepts supports understanding of how quantum computing works:
Qubits: Computers are built on bits, short for binary digits. These bits are the basic units of information where two configurations can be measured. The bits can be considered on or off, up or down, or 0s or 1s.
Qubits, or quantum bits, form the basics of how quantum computers work. Qubits can be made from quantum-mechanical systems that have two states. For instance, the spin of an electron may be measured as up or down.
Superposition: Qubits can exist as either 0s or 1s or a mix of both. This state of superposition means all combinations of information can exist at once.
Combining qubits holds all combinations of information at once. As a result, complex problems can be more easily represented with quantum computing than with traditional computing.
Entanglement: This quantum effect creates a correlation between two qubits. Entanglement between two or more qubits means a change to one can impact the other. This lets quantum computing algorithms quickly solve complex problems.
What Are the Benefits of Quantum Computing?
Computational power: Quantum computers can provide more computational power than other computers. For instance, Google claimed to carry out a calculation in 200 seconds that a supercomputer would need approximately 10,000 years to carry out.
Solving complex problems: Superposition and entanglement let quantum computers account for interacting variables and complexities to reach a solution. Other computers cannot carry out this function.
Running complex simulations: A quantum computer uses speed and complexity to simulate intricate systems. This provides a clearer understanding of the unknown than other computers can provide.
What Is Quantum Computing Used For?
Current and potentially quantum computing applications include:
Molecular modeling: Quantum computing can simulate quantum physics to provide insight into topics such as how batteries operate and how proteins interact. This helps revolutionize energy storage and medicine.
Database searching: Quantum computers can be used to store and quickly search substantial amounts of data.
Cryptography: Since a quantum computer could be used to breach encryption, it can enhance cybersecurity and network security.
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