What is quantum computing and its importance to people?

You may not know, but scientists believe that quantum computing is the key for people to enter a new technology era.

According to Forbes, in recent years, technology has developed at a very fast pace - the smart phones that you keep in your pockets have the same strength as military computers 50 years ago, and their size is as big as a room.

However, even with the achievements we have made in traditional technology and personal computers [the computer you are using] since the computer revolution began, there are still problems that current computers cannot solve. Many people believe that quantum computers are the answer.

The limits of classical computers

Most computers are limited to only one job at a time, but quantum computers are different.

Now, when we can create switches and memory units, or transistors , which are as small as an atom, we need to Find a new way to build computers. Although a traditional computer today can help us do many things, it is really just a bit-based scripting machine, with values ​​of 0 and 1 representing two states. is off and open in electronic circuit. But quantum computers are not born with the aim of replacing classical computers, but they are expected to become another tool that helps us solve complex problems that are beyond the capabilities of computers. current (PC).

Basically, when people are entering the "big data" era (the term refers to a very large and complex data set that traditional data processing applications can't handle), we more transistors will need to be able to handle the job. Most computers today are limited to being able to do only one thing in a given time, so the more complex the problem, the more time-consuming it is to resolve. An issue that requires beyond the capabilities of today's computers is called "intracable problem". Quantum computers will be assigned the responsibility to solve these problems.

The power of quantum computers

When you enter the world of atomic particles and subatomic particles (particles that make up atoms), everything will start "behaving" in an unusual, illogical way. In fact, these particles can exist in many states at the same time. It is an ability that quantum computers take advantage of.

What we see is a series of bits processed by the computer.

Instead of using bits like regular computers, quantum computers will use quantum bits - called qubits. Try visualizing a sphere. A bit can only be on one of the two poles of that block, and one qubit can exist at any point on the sphere. This means that a computer using a qubit will be able to store a large amount of information and consume less energy than a classical computer.

By going into the field of quantum computing, where the laws of physics are no longer valid, we will be able to create significantly faster microprocessors (about a million times more) than what we have today. It sounds great, but scientists still have a lot of trouble because quantum computing is extremely complex.

Pressure is pressing on the computer industry, as they need to find ways to make computing more efficient, because we have reached the peak of the performance limits of traditional methods. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), we will no longer be able to supply power to machines worldwide. That is why the computer industry is racing against time to bring quantum computers into commercial scale. Although difficult, but the achievement will be extremely worthy.

How will the world change with quantum computing?

D-Wave 2X quantum computer is manufactured by Google.

It is difficult to predict how quantum computing will change our world, simply because they will be applied to every industry. We are entering a whole new field of physics and there will be things that we have never thought of. But if you consider how classic computers have "revolutionized" our world, with just bits and two choices of 0 or 1, you'll be able to imagine the incredible power in hands, when qubits can perform millions of calculations at once.

What we already know is that quantum computing will have tremendous power, with the ability to change the way we do business, invent new drugs and substances, protect data, discover Universe. pillars and forecasting of climate change. It is no coincidence that the most influential companies in the world, such as IBM, Google, or governments of countries, are investing money and human resources into quantum computing technology. They are all hoping that quantum computing will change our world, because it allows us to solve problems and have new experiences, things that the current science and technology conditions are impossible.