Quantum computers can perform multiple calculations simultaneously due to superposition and entanglement.
Scaling up the number of qubits and addressing engineering obstacles are crucial for practical quantum computers.
Deep dives
The Power of Quantum Computers
Quantum computers, if they work as intended, will be exponentially more powerful than traditional computers. They can solve complex problems that are currently beyond the capabilities of classical computation. Quantum bits, or qubits, can exist in superpositions of both 0 and 1 simultaneously, enabling quantum computers to perform multiple calculations simultaneously. Entanglement is another key concept in quantum computing, where particles become intrinsically connected, so that observing one particle instantaneously determines the state of the other particle, regardless of the distance between them. Building practical quantum computers requires engineering advancements to scale up the number of qubits and improve their coherence and stability.
Building Quantum Computers with Ions
IonQ, a company specializing in quantum computing, builds their quantum computers using ions, specifically ytterbium ions. These ions are trapped and manipulated using laser beams inside a vacuum chamber. By applying lasers to the ions, superposition and entanglement are achieved. In the initial state, all qubits are prepared in the zero state, and then operations are performed to create superpositions and entanglement. Finally, measurements are made by shining lasers onto the ions, with the bright or dark output indicating the resulting state. While IonQ has made progress with 20 to 30 qubits, challenges remain in scaling up qubit numbers and addressing engineering obstacles such as isolation and control.
The Journey to Practical Quantum Computers
The development of useful quantum computers requires a combination of physics, engineering, and product development. While progress has been made in the laboratory, engineering quantum computers at scale is the current challenge. Different approaches are being explored by various companies, and finding ways to connect qubits and minimize noise and errors is crucial. While breakthroughs are not necessary, rigorous engineering and optimization are needed to reach the point where quantum computers can outperform classical computers and tackle complex real-world problems.
Chris Monroe is the co-founder and chief scientist of IonQ. Chris’s problem is this: How do you build a quantum computer that will actually work? Quantum computing has the potential to transform fields from drug development to clean energy to cybersecurity, but so far no one has been able to build a quantum computer that can reliably outperform existing computers.
Monroe is also a physics professor at Duke University, and he talks Jacob through the principles that make quantum computing possible.
