Essay: Quantum Computing
A year ago I knew nothing about the mechanics of quantum computing and the idea never crossed my mind. I had to write an essay about something innovative in computers. I asked a friend of mine what should I pick a topic on, and he was reading an article titled “Intel to invest $50 million in quantum computer research” and suggested it to me. I was like cool! Something interesting and different. The only thing I haven’t anticipated was researching some physics. I haven’t studied or touched physics since highschool, and it was quite fascinating. Why didn’t I pursue physics? Too much theory I guess. I like practical things.
I will share my essay’s abstract here and a full downloadable version of the PDF.
This year’s celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Moore’s Law has shown the world that modern technology is strong and will continue evolving. The Law states that microchip’s processing power will almost double every eighteen months to two years. However, if a fully utilized quantum computing principle using quantum theory in the operation of its processor becomes ready for commercial use in the near future, then the outcome may go beyond the known prediction of Moore’s Law, and will create a new era in computing power. Quantum computing is a young discipline interfacing between computer science and quantum physics, and creating an economical sized quantum computer is a work in progress. Furthermore, quantum computing will solve important problems regarding large computations and cryptography that classical computers and supercomputers cannot. So far, small quantum computing systems have demonstrated that it can calculate numeric results and simulate physical systems far beyond what humans can do by hand, but not widely used or tested other than in experimental technical labs in universities. However, over the recent years, D-Wave Systems Inc. in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada has manufactured two of the five known in the world quantum computers that are the size of a room. Unfortunately, many researchers dedicated to quantum computing theory and application are skeptical of the true utilization of quantum power in these D-Wave computers. With this skepticism, funding by large players dedicated to manufacturing computer systems into the research of the field of quantum computing continues. With that dedication, quantum computing may soon be a reality with a potential of speeding up calculations, database searches, and producing sophisticated encryption codes.
Keywords: quantum computing, quantum computers, quantum physics, classical computers, supercomputers.
