What Is Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing is a research field focused on developing computer-based technologies centered on the principles of quantum theory. Quantum theory describes the properties and behavior of energy and matter at the quantum level (atomic and subatomic).
Quantum computing uses combinations of bits to perform specific computational tasks, and all this with much higher efficiency than their traditional counterparts.
The development of quantum computing represents a quantum leap in computing power, resulting in significant performance improvements for certain use cases. Quantum computing, for example, is characterized by similar simulations.
Quantum computers derive much of their computational power from bits’ ability to be simultaneously in multiple states. A combination of 1 and 0 and both 0 and 1 at the same time can be used to perform the task.
Current research centers in quantum computing include MIT, IBM, Oxford University, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Additionally, developers are beginning to access quantum computers through cloud services. Quantum computing started with finding its essential ingredients.
In 1981, Paul Benioff at Argonne National Laboratory came up with the idea of a computer based on the principles of quantum mechanics. It is widely accepted that David Deutsch of the University of Oxford provided the key ideas behind quantum computing research.
In 1984, he began to explore the possibility of designing computers based solely on quantum rules and published a seminal paper a few months later.
Why Do We Need Quantum Computers?
For some problems, supercomputers aren’t that great.
When scientists and engineers encounter difficult problems, they turn to supercomputers. These are very large classic computers, often with thousands of classic CPU and GPU cores. However, even supercomputers struggle to solve certain kinds of problems.
Supercomputers may fail because the great classic machines were asked to solve highly complex problems. Complexity is often the case when traditional computers fail.
A complex problem is one in which many variables interact in a complex way. Modeling the behavior of individual atoms in molecules is a complex problem as all the different electrons interact with each other. Finding ideal routes for hundreds of tankers in the global shipping network is also complicated.
