Definition of Quantum Computing
Miscellanea / / November 13, 2021
By Guillem Alsina González, in Jan. 2018
The current computer technology, based on silicon, can still give more of itself, although it has limits, so it is already looking for a replacement, and it seems that this is going to be the one. computing quantum.
Unlike in computation derived from silicon technology, where each element can have two values possible (0 or 1, basis of binary logic), in quantum computing the elements can have more than two values.
This is the case of the two logical values 0 and 1, as well as 0 and 1 at the same time (we could define them as 0, 1 and 01). This is based on the different states of the atom, and allows a greater speed by simplifying the calculations (get the result more quickly).
In the case of quantum computers, we go from bit to qubit as the minimum unit of information.
The great advantage that qubits can represent three values is that several operations can be performed simultaneously.
In other words, a computer quantum size ostensibly smaller than that of a current computer, would be capable of multiplying by several
factors of order the power of the latter, with size and consumption much smaller and ostensibly faster.Earlier I said that silicon technology has limits. These are due to the progressive and increasing dimming of the chips; There comes a point where the technology stops working, so you need something that works on such small scales.
What state is quantum computing in?
Until now, existing quantum computers are no more than laboratory experiments.
Of course, they lay the necessary foundations so that in the not so distant future, we can have them.
These will initially be available to perform high-performance computing functions, such as supercomputers, and like any new technology that, at first, it is only used to find available for applications high end but that, later, it becomes accessible to all kinds of applications and to all pockets.
Among the first tasks that will be entrusted to you, the simulation tasks will surely stand out, for example, to calculate physical effects of the wind on the airplanes that are being designed.
The problem is that today's hardware technology doesn't allow us to stabilize computers and make them work the same way for an indefinite period of time. The improvement of this hardware technology is indispensable to achieve usable quantum computers.
In fact, with today's technology and our mastery of materials, we are not able to stabilize even a door. logic, which is what would open the door (worth the redundancy) to the building microprocessors.
Quantum computers will be programmed differently than "traditional" computers.
That is why it is said that one of the professions with a better perspective labor long-term future within the technological area is that of profiles specialized in this type of computing, especially programmers.
Photo: Fotolia - bakhtiarzein
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