maxisecmt

[maxisecmt]

The Quantum Computing Revolution: A Closer Look

Quantum computing, which harnesses the laws of quantum physics to process information exponentially faster than conventional transistor-based computers, is one of the most promising technologies of our time. It has the potential to revolutionize industries as diverse as agriculture, energy and financial markets. Yet as much as we know about quantum computing’s potential, it is also difficult to understand what the technology really means for businesses and consumers.

Developed in the 1990s, quantum computers are built on a fundamentally different basis than classical ones. Instead of relying on binary computer logic, which defines bits as either a zero or a one, quantum computers use the principles of quantum physics to create qubits, which can be both a zero and a one at the same time. As the qubits perform calculations, they can generate multiple outcomes simultaneously—a concept called superposition, which allows quantum computers to handle many more data points than classical computers, which must perform each calculation individually.

Scientists around the world are experimenting with developing hardware and algorithms to power these quantum machines, which have a unique capacity to process massive amounts of data in very little time. While the emergence of quantum computers has sparked excitement from technology website investors and entrepreneurs, it’s important to recognize that it’s still early days for this new technology. The development of quantum computers has been slow, and there are still challenges to be overcome if the full potential of this technology is to be realized.

A recent study, for example, revealed that quantum computing may not be as powerful as it originally seemed. Researchers found that the performance of quantum computers is influenced by factors such as temperature, vibrations and external electromagnetic fields. In addition, the system’s qubits must remain at a very low state of energy to keep them from losing their quantum properties, which can occur even when they are not performing computations.

As a result, the performance of quantum computers may only increase by about an order of magnitude over the next few years, at best. The research suggests that quantum computers will be able to tackle a limited number of problems, such as finding more efficient routes for shipping products to 100 cities or screening large numbers of small molecules for drug targets, but they will not reach the level needed to solve complex business and scientific questions.

Some experts, such techogle as Matthias Troyer, global head of group digital innovation at pharma giant Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, argue that the development of fault-tolerant quantum systems will be essential for businesses to take advantage of this new technology. “The reason we’re airing our skepticism about the impact of quantum computers is not to diminish their importance, but to ensure that researchers are focused on the areas where they have the most opportunity for impact,” he says.