What is Quantum Computing?

What is Quantum Computing?

 

Let’s first understand ‘quantum theory’. Quantum theory is the branch of physics that deals with the world of atoms and subatomic particles. In other words, quantum theory deals with the behaviors of atoms and subatomic particles. For example, a beam of light sometimes behaves as though it is made up of particles, and sometimes as tho’ it is waves of energy rippling through space. This is called wave-particle duality and is one of the ideas that comes from quantum theory.

“Quantum computing is a process that uses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too large or complex for traditional computers. Quantum computers rely on qubits to run and solve multidimensional quantum algorithms.” Quantum computing solves mathematical problems and runs quantum models using the tenets of quantum theory. Some of the quantum systems it is used to model include photosynthesis, superconductivity and complex molecular formations.

The key features of an ordinary computer are bits (0s and 1s), registers, logic gates, algorithms. On the other hand, quantum computer has quantum bits (also known as qubits), which work in a particularly intriguing way. While bit (in ordinary computer) can store either a zero or 1, a qubit can store a zero, a one, both zero and one, or an infinite number of values in between and be in multiple states (store multiple values) at the same time. Qubits use superposition to represent multiple states (multiple numeric values) simultaneously in a similar way. Quantum computers process information in a fundamentally different way than classical computers. Traditional computers operate on binary bits but quantum computers transmit information via qubits. The qubit’s ability to remain in superposition is the heart of quantum’s potential for exponentially greater computational power.

Instead of bits, which conventional computers use, a quantum computer uses quantum bits—known as qubits. To illustrate the difference, imagine a sphere. A bit can be at either of the two poles of the sphere, but a qubit can exist at any point on the sphere. So, this means that a computer using qubits can store an enormous amount of information and uses less energy doing so than a classical computer. By entering into this quantum area of computing where the traditional laws of physics no longer apply, we will be able to create processors that are significantly faster (a million or more times) than the ones we use today. Sounds fantastic, but the challenge is that quantum computing is also incredibly complex.

 

What are Qubits?

Quantum bits, or qubits, are the basic unit of information in quantum computing. Sort of like a traditional binary bit in traditional computing. 

Qubits use superposition to be in multiple states at one time. Binary bits can only represent 0 or 1. Qubits can be 0 or 1, as well as any part of 0 and 1 in superposition of both states. 

What are qubits made of? 

Qubits can be made from trapped ions, photons, artificial or real atoms or quasiparticles, while binary bits are often silicon-based chips.