Last month, a team of Russian and American scientists unveiled a quantum computer array with 51 qubits at the International Conference on Quantum Technologies in Moscow. Here's a look at how they accomplished this new milestone with the use of cold atoms and lasers.
If you're already familiar with quantum computing, I recommend skipping to the next section. If you're not familiar with quantum computing, it is aptly named for its quantum properties. In quantum physics, particles do not have a defined location until they are observed. In classical computing, digital data is read in bits, which are 1s and 0s, or ON and OFF states, which we know as binary, which can be manipulated into different arrangements using various logic gates.
Quantum computing combines concepts from classical computing and quantum mechanics to make qubits (a shortened nickname for "quantum bits"). Unlike classical bits, qubits can be a 1 or 0 at the same time, much like Schrodinger's cat, which is in a state of flux until observed. So,four bits have 16 possible combinations (24), whereas four qubits can be in every possible combination at the same time until they are observed. This allows a quantum computer to perform every possible calculation at the same time. A quantum algorithm reduces the time required for large calculations by the square root of the number of entries being searched.
Quantum computers are not practical for most tasks handled by personal computers, but they excel at large-scale calculations such as searching databases, running simulations, and even breaking encryptions. The video below is the simplest explanation of quantum computing I have seen so far.
It seems like every few months, quantum computing reaches a new milestone. Last month, at the International Conference on Quantum Technologies in Moscow, attendees and reporters gathered in mass for Professor John Martinis' presentation of a chip embedded with 49 qubits. Instead, in a fashion that reminds me of Steve Harvey announcing the Miss Universe pageant, Mikhail Lukin, a Harvard professor and co-founder of the Russian Quantum Centermade his own announcement and stole the show.
Lukin's team had successfully created the world's most powerful, functional quantum computer to date, which runs on 51 qubits. The device was tested successfully at Harvard, where it solved physics problems that silicon chip-based supercomputers were struggling with.
Most quantum computers have been designed using superconductors and even semiconductors. Martinis' 49-qubit chip was constructed in this fashion. Since traditional semiconductor materials are reaching their limits, Lukin's team took a different approach.
The 51-qubit machine uses "cold atoms" in place of qubits that are locked onto laser cells. Cold atom physics is the discipline of studying atoms at incredibly low temperatures (.0000001 degrees Kelvin) in order to recreate quantum conditions. Cooling atoms to temperatures near absolute zero slows their movement down and makes them easier to observe. The video below gives an introduction to cold atom physics (starting at 1:35). After that, we'll get into the biggest question I had about all of this:
How the heck do super-cooled atoms with lasers shining through them make a computer?
Lukin's team wrote a research paper (PDF) explaining the experiment they set up. After sifting through the equations, I arrived at the data-reading mechanism. The setup consists of a linear array101 evenly spaced "optical tweezers", which are generated by feeding a multi-tone RF signal into an into an acousto-optic deflector.
In simpler terms, they shine a laser beam through a vacuum tube and take fluorescence images(a type of laser scanning microscopy) of the atoms as they change betweenpositions. The "traps" that control the position of the atoms are programmable, which allows this super cooledvacuum tube with a laser shooting through it to function like a quantum computer.
As computing devices become ever smaller, engineers have been teaming up with scientists from other disciplines like physics and biology to make some outside-the box computing devices. Although it's unlikely that any of these will end up in personal devices anytime soon (or ever), it always reminds me that a computer is just a device that calculates problems, and what our concept of a "computer" will look like in 100 years might just be beyond our current levels of comprehension.
If you'd like to learn more about quantum computing, I've compiled some resources below along with some of my favorite outlandish non-silicon computers!
Featured image used courtesy of Kurzgesagt
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- IBM QISKit Aims to Enable Cloud-basaed Quantum Computation - InfoQ.com [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
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- IBM Q is the first initiative to build commercial quantum computing systems - BetaNews [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- IBM To Commercialize Quantum Computing - ADT Magazine [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Quantum computer learns to 'see' trees - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- David Deutsch and His Dream Machine - The New Yorker [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Quantum computers are here -- but what are they good for? - PCWorld [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- IBM's first commercial quantum computer could shake-up chemistry ... - Chemistry World (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Quantum computing takes a massive step forward thanks to ... - TechRadar [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Better than Quantum Computing: The EU Launches a Biocomputer ... - Labiotech.eu (blog) [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- In a few years new Quantum computers from IBM, Google and Microsoft will accelerate breakthroughs in chemistry and ... - Next Big Future [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
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- Rechargeable 'spin battery' promising for spintronics and quantum ... - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2017]
- The First Quantum Computer You Own Could Be Powered by a Time Crystal - Futurism [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2017]
- Microsoft to double headcount of Sydney quantum computing lab ... - Computerworld Australia [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2017]
- Could Time Crystals Hold The Key To Building The First Quantum Computer? - Wall Street Pit [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2017]
- Microsoft boosts Aussie quantum computing team - ARN - ARNnet [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
- Will Google Be The First To Achieve Quantum Computing Supremacy? - Wall Street Pit [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2017]
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- Quantum Computing | D-Wave Systems [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2017]
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- World's First Quantum Computer Is Here - Wall Street Pit - Wall Street Pit [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2017]
- China adds a quantum computer to high-performance computing arsenal - PCWorld [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2017]
- The Quantum Computer Revolution Is Closer Than You May Think - National Review [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2017]
- China builds five qubit quantum computer sampling and will scale to 20 qubits by end of this year and could any beat ... - Next Big Future [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2017]
- Researchers seek to advance quantum computing - The Stanford Daily [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- New Materials Could Make Quantum Computers More Practical - Tom's Hardware [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- Nanofridge could keep quantum computers cool enough to calculate - New Scientist [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- Home News Computer Europe Takes Quantum Computing to the Next Level With this Billion Euro... - TrendinTech [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- Quantum Computing Demands a Whole New Kind of Programmer - Singularity Hub [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- Refrigerator for quantum computers discovered - Science Daily [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- Scientists Invent Nanoscale Refrigerator For Quantum Computers - Wall Street Pit [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- IBM builds two new Quantum Computing processors - Enterprise Times [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- Quantum Computers Sound Great, But Who's Going to Program Them? - TrendinTech [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- IBM makes a leap in quantum computing power - PCWorld [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- IBM's Newest Quantum Computing Processors Have Triple the Qubits of Their Last - Futurism [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- IBM scientists demonstrate ballistic nanowire connections, a potential future key component for quantum computing - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- The route to high-speed quantum computing is paved with error | Ars ... - Ars Technica UK [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- Researchers push forward quantum computing research - The ... - Economic Times [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2017]
- US playing catch-up in quantum computing - The Register-Guard [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2017]
- IBM Q Offers Quantum Computing as a Service The Merkle - The Merkle [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Graphene Just Brought Us One Step Closer to Practical Quantum Computers - Futurism [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- How quantum computing increases cybersecurity risks | Network ... - Network World [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Is the US falling behind in the race for quantum computing? - AroundtheO [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Artificial intelligence and quantum computing aid cyber crime fight - Financial Times [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Google Plans to Demonstrate the Supremacy of Quantum ... - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Top 5: Things to know about quantum computers - TechRepublic [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- AI and Quantum Computers Are Our Best Weapons Against Cyber Criminals - Futurism [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Scientists claim to have invented the world's first quantum-proof ... - ScienceAlert [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Microsoft, Purdue Tackle Topological Quantum Computer - HPCwire - HPCwire (blog) [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- MIT Just Unveiled A Technique to Mass Produce Quantum Computers - Futurism [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Here's How We Can Achieve Mass-Produced Quantum Computers - ScienceAlert [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Research collaborative pursues advanced quantum computing - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Telstra just wants a quantum computer to offer as-a-service - ZDNet [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- D-Wave partners with U of T to move quantum computing along - Financial Post [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2017]
- Doped Diamonds Push Practical Quantum Computing Closer to Reality - Motherboard [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2017]
- Team develops first blockchain that can't be hacked by quantum computer - Siliconrepublic.com [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2017]
- Are Enterprises Ready to Take a Quantum Leap? - IT Business Edge [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]
- Scientists May Have Found a Way to Combat Quantum Computer Blockchain Hacking - Futurism [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]
- Microsoft and Purdue work on scalable topological quantum computer - Next Big Future [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]
- From the Abacus to Supercomputers to Quantum Computers - Duke Today [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]
- Quantum Computers Will Analyze Every Financial Model at Once - Singularity Hub [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]
- Quantum Computing Technologies markets will reach $10.7 billion by 2024 - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2017]
- KPN CISO details Quantum computing attack dangers - Mobile World Live [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- Get ahead in quantum computing AND attract Goldman Sachs - eFinancialCareers [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- Toward optical quantum computing - MIT News [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2017]
- Quantum Machine Learning Computer Hybrids at the Center of New Start-Ups - TrendinTech [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2017]
- Israel Enters Quantum Computer Race, Placing Encryption at Ever-Greater Risk - Sputnik International [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2017]
- Prototype device enables photon-photon interactions at room ... - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2017]
- The Quantum Computer Factory That's Taking on Google and IBM - WIRED [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2017]
- 6 Things Quantum Computers Will Be Incredibly Useful For - Singularity Hub [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- Volkswagen buys D-Wave quantum computers which sell for $15 million each - Robotics and Automation News (press release) (registration) [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]