What is a Quantum computer? Every now and then IBM keeps on sharing some updates on their Twitter handle about the Quantum computer they have created. IBM Research.
Therefore today, I decided to give it a try. So I watched some videos on Quantum Computing by IBM. They also showed the actual Quantum Computer which they have created in their New York, US Lab. I have read and taught physics to High school students. I studied Physics in my undergrads, so I guess understanding beginner material was relatively easy. Also, IBM has some excellent teachers, who made me understand the stuff and terminologies.

 

What a Computer does?

Computers are the devices which can compute faster and assist you in making decisions. But there is a limitation. What has been observed that the problems where one decision going to affect the outcomes of another decision, in those problems our Classical computer can’t help.

 

Difference between Classical and Quantum Computers

Classical Computers are the one, which you and I are using. Apple, Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo etc, all are examples of classical computers. These classical computers are dependent on Two Bits (0, 1). So every decision is either Yes, or No at a specific time, but if you see the real world, you know that nature is much more complex, for e.g.:

Quantum computers on the other hand use Qbits(Quantum bits) for carrying out calculations. Qbits are 0,1 or both at a time, they super-impose on each other and also show the phenomenon of entanglement.

 

Why some people are afraid of Quantum Computing

People are also worried about the failure of current encryption methods. Current cryptosystems which are built-up upon factorization are at a greater risk with the advent of Quantum Computers. It’s already been shown that it is very much possible to defeat RSA cryptosystems by making a large quantum computer at least that is what has been proven by Shor’s Algorithm.
Still, I believe that the number of positive applications is exponentially more than the controllable hazards of a Quantum Computer.

Where are we standing in the field of Quantum Computing

Research is going on, scientists are working hard to improve fault tolerance, error correction, and issues of noise. A fully developed Quantum Computer is still decades away as per IBM scientists. Engineers are working to create abstraction layers both at the hardware and Software levels to make it practically useful for developers. IBM has opened its Quantum Computer facility to the general public. You can register and try to test your algorithm by accessing Quantum Computer via the internet.

IBMQ.

IBM Quantum Computer

By going through study material on Quantum Computing don’t get disheartened by the complexity of subject matter. Remember those lines which I have mentioned at the top of my blog page. “Break it until you understand it”. When you not able to understand a particular concept, reduce your level by (-1) and then try again.

 

Make yourself familiar with some “Terminologies”

 

Quantum Computer: An advanced computer which uses Qbits (0, 1, 0/1, 1/0) which functions at an ultra-low temperature whereas Classical computer’s use 0,1. Which provides it an edge over complex computations. In the classical computer, there is an outcome either 0 or 1, where Qbits could be 1, 0 or both existing simultaneously.
Super-position is where Qbits co-exist, which was not the case in classical bits 0 and 1. Entanglement is where one outcome is entangled/influenced with other outcomes. I will keep writing on this, as and when I have something to share with you. Interference, when waves combine in both positive and negative manner to produce amplification or degradation of amplitude.

Yash Pal Singh