Quantum computing represents an incredible advancement in technology. While classical computers rely on binary code-based machines utilizing 20th-century transistor technology, quantum computing uses qubits – small bits containing quantum information – to tackle complex problems that even supercomputers struggle with.
However, taking full advantage of quantum computing’s potential benefits in any organization’s supply chain requires employees across its entirety to possess essential expertise in quantum computing – making efforts to democratize quantum computing all the more necessary.
What is Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing leverages quantum mechanics to solve computational issues beyond the scope of classical computers, providing exponentially faster computation than with traditional computers. It forms the backbone of today’s supercomputers.
Customers of D-Wave quantum computing are currently using it in industries as diverse as logistics, finance, energy, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, drug discovery materials sciences, and scheduling fault detection mobility. This use case will only increase as quantum computing finds applications across industries and use cases.
Quantum computers differ from conventional computers in that their information is stored as “qubits” rather than bits. A qubit can exist either in one of two states (0 or 1) or simultaneously exist in both 0 and 1, known as superposition. As a result, quantum computers can quickly examine all possible solutions for calculations, while conventional computers must try each solution until one works successfully.
Drug discovery typically takes an average of more than ten years from discovery to market availability. Yet, a quantum computer could significantly speed up and enhance this research process, helping scientists develop more medicines faster to change the lives of more people.
Quantum computing has attracted significant investment from major technology companies as well as private and public sector organizations, with substantial efforts underway to democratize it by developing tools that allow non-scientists to interact with quantum devices as well as software to run quantum algorithms. To truly make use of its potential, its accessibility must also be made understandable for business leaders as well as employees across an organization. Efforts are underway to democratize quantum computing, for example, by creating tools allowing non-scientists to use quantum devices directly or by developing software enabling them to run and process quantum algorithms themselves.
Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is at the core of several technologies that promise to revolutionize our world, such as quantum computing, quantum cryptography and teleportation.
Quantum physics describes the behaviour of matter and radiation at an atomic and subatomic scale, often seeming counterintuitive to our common understanding. Concepts like superposition, entanglement, and uncertainty principle test our beliefs about how the world functions at this microscopic scale while serving as foundational building blocks of many of the technologies we rely upon daily.
Quantum computing’s essential feature, or qubit (the basic unit of information used in quantum computing), is its capacity for existing in a state of uncertainty or “superposition”. When measuring it, when measured it produces probabilistic outcomes rather than binary ones; quantum computers use this property exponentially faster calculations.
Scientists are exploring ways quantum technology can be applied to everyday problems. Engineering firms, financial institutions, and global shipping companies are exploring quantum computing as an option to address challenges they can’t adequately address with existing solutions.
Quantum computers could enable rapid simulation of molecular interactions compared to classical ones, potentially revolutionizing areas such as chemical engineering and pharmaceutical development. Furthermore, quantum computers could more efficiently crack encryption codes, thereby providing more security online and in terms of communications solutions.
As quantum computing continues to advance, leading companies are making significant investments and advancements in this space. To remain an international leader in this effort, the United States must avoid policies that undermine cooperation among global partners or limit market opportunities, such as restricting China’s access to quantum capabilities while still encouraging international collaboration and creating an international market for quantum technology.
Superposition
Superposition is an enduring principle in physics that describes how physical objects can simultaneously exist in multiple states. Waves — whether water, air or electrons in an atom — combine by addition into new waves while still maintaining their original properties. A classical computer would need to calculate all possible actions of an atom before selecting its preferred behaviour; quantum computers mix all possible outcomes at once.
Quantum computers work by encoding information in qubits, which can represent either zero, one, or both simultaneously (known as superposition). By contrast, traditional computers encode data into bits that only represent either zeroes or ones, similar to how light bulbs have two switches that either turn on or off. A quantum computer’s ability to access all its “qubits” simultaneously enables it to perform calculations more quickly and efficiently than its traditional counterpart.
Quantum computing’s appeal lies in its ability to perform multiple calculations simultaneously, taking advantage of two fundamental principles from quantum physics: superposition and entanglement.
When an atom, photon or electron is in a superposition state, its probability of occurring can range anywhere between outcomes. Once measured. However, one state will emerge, while any combination is possible until then.
Quantum computing involves creating uniform superposition states using uniform superposition states as basis states for processing by various quantum algorithms, making the formation of these basis states crucial to their overall performance and success. A firm grasp of their preparation is paramount to ensure the best results from any quantum computer system.
Entanglement
Entanglement is one of the key concepts in quantum mechanics. It creates strong correlations between particles that are separated in space. Even knowing one particle’s state (say, whether it spins up or spins down) immediately provides insights into another particle no matter their distance apart. Einstein was baffled by this fantastic phenomenon, leading him to distrust it as much as ever.
Entanglement has many practical uses; for instance, it is used to increase the precision of atomic clocks. Such clocks use a collection of atoms in a vacuum chamber which constantly measures when light bounces off them; this allows scientists to know exact times within seconds and provides scientists with precise knowledge about daily routines, such as when sunlight arrives at specific spots throughout their day. But their precision depends on the number of atoms stored there; by increasing this by 100 times, precision increases by an order of magnitude!
An entangled pair can achieve this by not being preoccupied with measuring their differences from each other; instead, all their energies focus on one measurement. In this way, multiple atoms can act like one pendulum.
Entanglement can also be used to quickly transfer information over long distances without violating the speed of light, an effect known as the Bell inequality, named for John Stewart Bell, who developed an equation (now known as Bell’s inequality) showing that when particles are entangled with one another, they can transmit instantaneously information regarding one particle to the other regardless of distance differences between them.
Quantum Computing Applications
Quantum computing has long held promise, with its fundamental principles – superposition and entanglement – already showing some fantastic advantages. Computers using qubits have been able to perform calculations much more quickly than conventional machines; its benefits extend far beyond traditional digital circuits, including drug discovery, encryption breaking, financial transaction speedups, machine learning improvements, material innovations development and climate change mitigation.
However, practical applications of quantum mechanics remain limited and speculative. One example would be using its unique properties to address complex problems that traditional methods cannot tackle, like stock option decisions that involve Monte Carlo simulations taking centuries on classical computers compared to minutes for quantum processors.
Quantum computing also plays an integral part in the chemicals and petroleum industries, where it speeds up chemical modelling processes while helping identify new methods of producing chemical products. For instance, quantum computers could quickly identify how best to utilize lithium hydride and beryllium hydride batteries for electric vehicle batteries – possibly increasing the adoption rates of such vehicles.
Companies of all sizes recognize the necessity of quantum computing implementation; however, there still needs to be a talent gap. Many may look towards start-up quantum-computing providers for help training on this emerging tool. In contrast, others may continue digital transformation efforts while monitoring how quantum computing evolves and impacts their data sets.