The Current State of Quantum Computing

Quantum Computing Is Different

Quantum computing is the idea of using quantum physics to perform calculations, which differs from normal semiconductor-based computing methods. Instead of generating 0 and 1 (no current or current), it uses “quantum bits,” called qubits, where particle data is either 0 AND 1 at once, or 1, or 0.

Because of the fundamental difference in the way of calculus, quantum computing is not so much an alternative to “normal” computing but rather a complement.

Standard computing works in a linear fashion and struggles with very complex calculations, like climate modeling, cryptography, or the 3D configuration of complex molecules like proteins. And this is precisely the type of calculation that quantum computing is expected to excel at.

So, while our laptops and smartphones are likely to never be quantum computers, they could revolutionize scientific research.

Quantum Computing Is Difficult

So, with the promise that quantum supercomputers will perform a thousand times better than the existing ones, it is not a surprise that plenty of research has been done to make them a reality.

But the problem is that creating even one qubit is technically very difficult. The first difficulty is that quantum computing only works at ultra-low temperatures, around a hundred degrees above absolute zero. Only in these conditions are some unique materials turning into superconductors (materials with no electric resistance). This is energy-consuming, expensive, and difficult to achieve.

And then, managing to control, manipulate, and “read” the data in a qubit is also complex, usually involving ultra-precise lasers, atomic microscopes, and sensors. Lastly, any interference will make the qubit useless, so a perfect vacuum needs to be achieved as well.

While semiconductor chips manipulate matter at scales measuring only a few atoms’, quantum computing is looking to handle the matter at the particle scale. Notably, a practical quantum computer will require thousands of qubits to stay stable and interact with each other.

Quantum Computing Progresses

Crossing The 1,000-Qubit Threshold

A team headed by Professor Gerhard Birkl from the “Atoms – Photons – Quanta” research group in the Department of Physics at TU Darmstadt in Germany has just created the largest quantum computer yet.

They have created a quantum computer with 1,000 individually controllable atomic qubits, winning a race in the field against many other scientific teams.

Source: Optica

The 1,000 mark is partially symbolic but also around the number expected to be required for meaningful application of quantum computers. Less than that, they are mostly a scientific curiosity and a promising idea, but not much more.

The technique uses “optical tweezers,” which are special lasers able to manipulate the atoms individually. Thanks to progress in micro-optics, this is the most promising technique in quantum computing for a scalable method to build much bigger systems.

Source: Optica

“As the number of lenslets per square centimeter readily reaches 100,000 and MLA wafers with areas of several 100 square centimeters can be produced, they have enormous potential in terms of scalability, only limited by the available laser power”