COM 214 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft, Argonne National Laboratory
25 May 2018
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Quantum Computing
What is quantum computing?
Quantum computers are incredibly powerful machines that take a new approach to
processing information. Built on the principles of quantum mechanics, they exploit
complex and fascinating laws of nature that are always there, but usually remain
hidden from view. By harnessing such natural behavior, quantum computing can
run new types of algorithms to process information more holistically. They may one
day lead to revolutionary breakthroughs in materials and drug discovery, the
optimization of complex manmade systems, and artificial intelligence. We expect
them to open doors that we once thought would remain locked indefinitely.
Acquaint yourself with the strange and exciting world of quantum computing.
Quantum computing is the area of study focused on developing computer
technology based on the principles of quantum theory, which explains the nature
and behavior of energy and matter on the quantum (atomic and subatomic) level.
Development of a quantum computer, if practical, would mark a leap forward in
computing capability far greater than that from the abacus to a modern day
supercomputer, with performance gains in the billion-fold realm and beyond. The
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quantum computer, following the laws of quantum physics, would gain enormous
processing power through the ability to be in multiple states, and to perform tasks
using all possible permutations simultaneously. Current centers of research in
quantum computing include MIT, IBM, Oxford University, and the Los Alamos
National Laboratory.
The essential elements of quantum computing originated with Paul Benioff,
working at Argonne National Labs, in 1981. He theorized a classical computer
operating with some quantum mechanical principles. But it is generally accepted
that David Deutsch of Oxford University provided the critical impetus for quantum
computing research. In 1984, he was at a computation theory conference and
began to wonder about the possibility of designing a computer that was based
exclusively on quantum rules, then published his breakthrough paper a few months
later. With this, the race began to exploit his ideas. However, before we delve into
what he started, it is beneficial to have a look at the background of the quantum
world.
Quantum Theory
Quantum theory's development began in 1900 with a presentation by Max Planck
to the German Physical Society, in which he introduced the idea that energy exists
in individual units (which he called "quanta"), as does matter. Further
developments by a number of scientists over the following thirty years led to the
modern understanding of quantum theory.
The Essential Elements of Quantum Theory:
Energy, like matter, consists of discrete units, rather than solely as a continuous
wave.
Elementary particles of both energy and matter, depending on the conditions, may
behave like either particles or waves.
The movement of elementary particles is inherently random, and, thus,
unpredictable.
The simultaneous measurement of two complementary values, such as the
position and momentum of an elementary particle, is inescapably flawed; the more
precisely one value is measured, the more flawed will be the measurement of the
other value.
Further Developments of Quantum Theory
Niels Bohr proposed the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory, which
asserts that a particle is whatever it is measured to be (for example, a wave or a
particle) but that it cannot be assumed to have specific properties, or even to exist,
until it is measured. In short, Bohr was saying that objective reality does not exist.
This translates to a principle called superposition that claims that while we do not
know what the state of any object is, it is actually in all possible states
simultaneously, as long as we don't look to check.
To illustrate this theory, we can use the famous and somewhat cruel analogy of
Schrodinger's Cat. First, we have a living cat and place it in a thick lead box. At this
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Document Summary
Quantum computers are incredibly powerful machines that take a new approach to processing information. Built on the principles of quantum mechanics, they exploit complex and fascinating laws of nature that are always there, but usually remain hidden from view. By harnessing such natural behavior, quantum computing can run new types of algorithms to process information more holistically. They may one day lead to revolutionary breakthroughs in materials and drug discovery, the optimization of complex manmade systems, and artificial intelligence. We expect them to open doors that we once thought would remain locked indefinitely. Acquaint yourself with the strange and exciting world of quantum computing. Quantum computing is the area of study focused on developing computer technology based on the principles of quantum theory, which explains the nature and behavior of energy and matter on the quantum (atomic and subatomic) level.
