Breakthroughs in quantum computing drive higher processing power – Digital Nation

Quantum computing has seen recent breakthroughs in driving higher processing power that can lead to solving more complex problems.

A process known as quantum entanglement is a key driver of the processing power of quantum computers, and higher quantum entanglement states allow quantum computers to increase the complexity of their algorithms.

The University of Melbournes IBM Quantum Hub claims to have created the largest entanglement state of its kind in the world.

Speaking at an IBM media round table, Dr Charles Hill, senior lecturer in quantum computing, and technical lead with the IBM Quantum Hub at the University of Melbourne said that the partnership has allowed for the generation and verification of entanglement in quantum devices, driving forward research in the space.

According to Hill, entanglement is a critical difference between quantum computers and classical computers.

If a quantum computer really wasn't able to demonstrate entanglement, it really wouldn't be a quantum computer it would just be a very, very expensive and very cold, multimillion dollar calculator, says Hill.

The ability to prepare these large, highly entangled states is an important benchmark. It really demonstrates the ability of a quantum device to perform genuinely quantum mechanical computations.

The Australian governments recent development of a national quantum strategy which includes a $70 million dollar investment for a quantum commercialisation hub, as well as the US/AU Quantum cooperation statement reveals the enormous perceived impacts of quantum computing, with the sector expected to grow to at least $86 billion by 2040.

According to Melissa Price, Minister for Science and Technology, Australia now has an important mission to commercialise our research, particularly given quantum technologies are increasingly vital for industries in key areas like defence and national security, as flagged in the recent AUKUS agreement.

Dr Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President, Quantum Computing at IBM says that research is now at the stage where it is looking at ways to connect quantum information to applications.

We're going into this new era where we can start to look at what can we do with these machines? I think they're starting to get to the point that they're beyond what is easy to simulate on a classical computer, says Gambetta.

If I was to say one thing that I hope we achieve in the next few years is when someone from a different field that hasn't particularly been in quantum information actually uses this to answer a question. I think that will be an exciting time.

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Breakthroughs in quantum computing drive higher processing power - Digital Nation

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