Tiny Matters The strange science and history of quantum computing and how it could transform chemistry
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Jul 23, 2025 Francesco Evangelista, a theoretical chemistry professor at Emory University, shares his insights on quantum computing's history and its promising future. He delves into Richard Feynman's pioneering 1981 proposal that ignited the field. The discussion highlights the unique advantages of qubits over classical computing, and how this technology could revolutionize chemistry by predicting molecular properties. Evangelista emphasizes the integration of quantum and classical approaches, showcasing the exciting potential that lies ahead in scientific discoveries.
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Feynman's Quantum Computing Insight
- Richard Feynman proposed quantum computers to simulate quantum systems classical computers cannot.
- He emphasized nature isn't classical, so simulations must be quantum mechanical too.
Quantum Bits and Superposition
- Quantum computers use qubits which can be in superposition, unlike classical bits.
- Superposition allows qubits to represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously, boosting computing power.
Quantum Power and Errors
- Qubits offer exponential computational power versus classical bits' linear growth.
- However, quantum computers today suffer from high error rates which corrupt computations.