2. QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT
Quantum entanglement is the phenomenon that occurs when
a group of particles are generated, interact, or share spatial
proximity in a way such that the quantum state of each particle
of the group cannot be described independently of the state of
the others, including when the particles are separated by a large
distance.
Quantum entanglement is a bizarre, counterintuitive
phenomenon that explains how two subatomic particles
can be intimately linked to each other even if separated by
billions of light-years of space. Despite their vast
separation, a change induced in one will affect the other.
3. SCHRODINGER’S CAT
EXPERIMENT
In Schrodinger's imaginary experiment, you place a cat in a box with
a tiny bit of radioactive substance. When the radioactive substance
decays, it triggers a Geiger counter which causes a poison or
explosion to be released that kills the cat. Now, the decay of the
radioactive substance is governed by the laws of quantum
mechanics. This means that the atom starts in a combined state of
"going to decay" and "not going to decay". If we apply the observer-
driven idea to this case, there is no conscious observer present
(everything is in a sealed box), so the whole system stays as a
combination of the two possibilities. The cat ends up both dead and
alive at the same time. Because the existence of a cat that is both
dead and alive at the same time is absurd and does not happen in
the real world, this thought experiment shows that wavefunction
collapses are not just driven by conscious observers.
4. DEFINITION
Quantum computing is a multidisciplinary field
comprising aspects of computer science, physics, and
mathematics that utilizes quantum mechanics to solve
complex problems faster than on classical computers.
Quantum computing is a rapidly-emerging technology
that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve
problems too complex for classical computers.
6. HOW QUANTUM COMPUTING
WORK
Our quantum processors need to be very cold – about
a hundredth of a degree above absolute zero. To
achieve this, we use super-cooled superfluids to create
superconductors.
7. SUPERCONDUCTORS
At those ultra-low temperatures certain materials in
our processors exhibit another important quantum
mechanical effect: electrons move through them
without resistance. This makes them
"superconductors."
When electrons pass through superconductors they
match up, forming "Cooper pairs." These pairs can
carry a charge across barriers, or insulators, through a
process known as quantum tunneling. Two
superconductors placed on either side of an insulator
form a Josephson junction.
8. CONTROL
Our quantum computers use Josephson junctions as
superconducting qubits. By firing microwave photons
at these qubits, we can control their behavior and get
them to hold, change, and read out individual units of
quantum information.
9. SUPERPOSITION
A qubit itself isn't very useful. But it can perform an
important trick: placing the quantum information it
holds into a state of superposition, which represents a
combination of all possible configurations of the
qubit. Groups of qubits in superposition can create
complex, multidimensional computational spaces.
Complex problems can be represented in new ways in
these spaces.
10. ENTAGLEMENT
Entanglement is a quantum mechanical effect that
correlates the behavior of two separate things. When
two qubits are entangled, changes to one qubit directly
impact the other. Quantum algorithms leverage those
relationships to find solutions to complex problems.
11. COMPANIES USING QUANTUM
COMPUTING
Mercedes-Benz, in partnership with IBM Quantum, is
exploring quantum computing to craft the future of
electric vehicles.
ExxonMobil in partnership with IBM Quantum is
exploring quantum algorithms to tackle the
complexities of shipping the world’s cleanest burning
fuel.
Data from the world's biggest machine could reveal the
deepest secrets of the universe. Quantum computing
may help find them.
