By: Zachary Long & Kelly Jiang
Quantum computing is a hot topic in the technology realm. However, most people have very little understanding of what quantum computing is and what it is capable of. Quantum computers operate on a different state that classical computers cannot produce. A classical computer works in binary terms of 1 and 0. With a quantum computer, the physics concept of superposition takes place and generates a temporary third state of 1 and 0 combined in the same instance. The best way to understand this principle is by thinking of the Schrodinger's cat experiment. The premise of that experiment is that a cat can be in a closed box with poisoned milk, and that cat is both alive and dead until the box is opened. This undetermined state allows quantum computers to evaluate a large number of possibilities simultaneously, and then when it creates an output, it comes out as one calculation with the optimal answer. Quantum entanglement is the ability for the particles to interact with each other in ways that create dynamic interactions at the quantum level. These machines run on qubits which thanks to quantum entanglement multiply the computer's power exponentially with the addition of each qubit. Unfortunately, it is imperative to ensure that the computer is kept a temperature close to zero Kelvin. If the computer gets too hot, then decoherence will occur, and the calculations will see an error.
Quantum computing has the potential to change our future for the better. The primary application for it is artificial intelligence processors. Since quantum computing is based on calculating the probabilities for many possibilities, so AI is a good candidate.
Another use for the technology is precision modeling of molecular interactions, or finding the best configurations for chemical reactions. This is also known as “quantum chemistry,” and is so complex that a classical computer can analyze only simple molecules. Chemical reactions are quantum since they create extremely entangled quantum superposition states. This is something a quantum computer could easily handle. The uses for quantum computing in this area spans from creating more efficient products (such as fertilizer production) to the creation of new pharmaceutical drugs.
Quantum computing will also change the world of cryptography or the art of writing and solving codes. Online security heavily depends on how difficult large numbers can be factored into prime numbers. Factoring is currently being done through classical computers by searching through every possible factor, but this is expensive and time-consuming. Quantum computers can perform factoring much more efficiently than classical computers. Quantum encryption methods are also being proposed using the one-way feature of quantum entanglement.
Modern financial markets could also benefit from quantum computing. The current markets are very complicated systems that require advanced mathematical and scientific tools to run. Quantum computing can quickly evaluate the distribution of outcomes in a large number of scenarios generated at random.
Questions:
- What other instances do you think a quantum computer would be useful for in the future?
- Do you expect to use a quantum computer in the future? Please explain your answer.
- How do you think quantum computing will affect a future MIS major?
References:
Quantum entanglement is an extremely interesting phenomenon that also happens to be difficult to understand and I’d like to elaborate a bit on the topic. Albert Einstein once called it “spooky action at a distance.” In quantum theory, entangled particles stay connected even when they’re separated by great distances, so that actions performed on one of them affects the other. Entanglement happens when a pair of particles physically interact, causing them to be split in two. Those two split particles can then still communicate even when they’re far away from each other. The entire phenomenon can be summed up by the phrase “lack of independence.”
ReplyDelete