Quantum Computing: The Next Generation Computing Giants

in #steemstem6 years ago (edited)

Hello Steemians, Merry Christmass to you all. I hope the Celebrations are full on with your family, friends and dear ones. Today I bring my new post on Quantum Computing as I promised. It is a revolutionary technology which will transform the face of our world and in future we may be Steeming in a much smarter way with the amazing technologies based on Quantum Computing. Lets see what Quantum Computing is.


Invention of Transistor in the 1947 gave birth to the revolution of Semiconductor Electronics which was imminent in the later decades. It grew manifold in the later decades ranging to various domains of life. As per Gordon Moore’s prediction the number of transistors per chip area grew double every eighteen month which added a multitude in the computing speed of the computers.


A Semiconductor Based Integrated Circuit[Source]

However, by the next few years this growth will reach its saturation as the size of the transistor will shrink to the size of an atom. At this dimension, Quantum Laws like Tunneling, Quantum Confinement etc. are prevalent and they hamper the normal operation of the transistors. It then prevents further minimization of the transistors and puts a saturation point on the computing power. Some organizations like the ITRS(International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors)suggests some alternative devices(e.g. FiFET) which adds a minuscule computing power for few decades. However, these devices will also reach their saturation point in few decades.

There are certain problems in Computer Science, solving which requires a large computing power. For instance, the multiplication of two large prime numbers is an easy process. But, retrieving the two prime numbers from the product is almost impossible with our Classical Computers. The RSA Algorithm in Cryptography is based on this idea. No efficient Classical Algorithm has been designed till date which can solve the problem in a short time.

All these problems have a reliable solution in the form of Quantum Laws. The computer which uses the laws of Quantum Mechanics such as Entanglement and Superposition are known as Quantum Computer. For some applications Quantum Computers are exponentially faster than classical transistor based computers. Shor’s Algorithm, for example, is used to factorize a very large number in polynomial time. Similarly, Grover’s Algorithm can solve the binary search in a database in a very short time which a classical computer takes much longer time. Moreover, using Quantum Computers it is possible to simulate a Quantum System which is not possible in Classical Computers.

Quantum Bits or Qubits

The fundamental unit of Classical Information is bit which is denoted by the ON and OFF state of a MOS Transistor. When the transistor is in OFF state it denotes the logic state 0 and when in ON state it denotes the logic state 1. However, a transistor processes only one bit of information at a time. For larger information processing we need more than one transistors interconnected to form a large digital circuit. But, each of the transistors will have output as either ON or OFF state.

On the other hand, the fundamental unit of Quantum Information is Qubit(short for Quantum bit). A Qubit can be either in the state-0 or state-1 and a linear superposition of the states-0 and state-1. It means that they can be in both the states at the same time until we measure it. Because of this feature, in a Two Level Quantum System we can represent infinitely large amount of information unlike a classical bit.

Single Qubit

A Single Qubit can be represented with any two level quantum system e.g. the 1s and 2s state of the H-atom(Hydrogen atom) with one electron. This system can represent one Qubit of information if we denote the state of the electron being in the 1s energy state as the logic state 0 and the one being in the 2s energy state as the logic state 1.

Screenshot (68).png

The 1s and 2s Energy States of a H-Atom[Source: Self Created]

The logic states in quantum computation is denoted by using the "Screenshot (99).png"notation as the states Screenshot (98).png and Screenshot (98).png. They can be in a superposition of the two states also which is denoted by,

Screenshot (98).png

In the matrix form a Qubit is written as,

Screenshot (68).png

Hence, the states Screenshot (98).png and Screenshot (98).png can be written as, Screenshot (68).png and Screenshot (68).png.
Any measurement on the system disturbs the superposition and the system normalizes to one of the states i.e. Screenshot (98).png or Screenshot (98).png with probabilities Screenshot (68).png and Screenshot (68).png respectively which satisfies the normalization condition,

Screenshot (68).png

Multiple Qubit

A Multiple Qubit system can be represented by two or more two level atoms. An N-Qubit system can be represented with N H-atoms.

Screenshot (104).png

N H-atoms With 1s and 2s Energy States[Source: Self Created]

For example, a Two Qubit system can be represented with two H-atoms. The superposition state of a Two Qubit system is a 22=4 possible combination of all the states of the two atoms. It is denoted by,

Screenshot (68).png

Which satisfies the normalization condition,

Screenshot (68).png

Quantum Computation: A Time Evolution Process

Quantum Computation is achieved in a quantum system which evolves with time. According to the postulates of Quantum Mechanics, Time Evolution of a quantum system is a unitary transformation and is described by the Schrodinger’s Equation,

Screenshot (68).png

If a system is initially in the state Screenshot (98).png, then at a later time Screenshot (98).png, the state of the system is,

Screenshot (68).png

Screenshot (98).png is a unitary operator i.e. it satisfies the condition,

Screenshot (68).png

Quantum Gate

A Quantum Gate is a unitary transformation which can be described as,

Screenshot (68).png

Where Screenshot (98).png is a unitary operator i.e. Screenshot (68).png
Quantum Gates are of two types: Single Qubit Gates and Multiple Qubit Gates.

Single Qubit Gates:

A Single Qubit Gate operates on a Single Qubit. Some examples are as below:

Pauli-X Gate:

Pauli-X Gate is the quantum equivalent of the classical NOT Gate and is denoted by the symbol

Screenshot (68).png

Pauli X-Gate is represented by the unitary matrix,

Screenshot (68).png

It operates on the state Screenshot (98).png to yield the state Screenshot (98).png as,

Screenshot (68).png

And on the state Screenshot (98).png to give the state Screenshot (98).png as,

Screenshot (68).png

The X-Gate operation on the superposition state Screenshot (98).png yields the state, Screenshot (99).png which in matrix form is represented as,

Screenshot (68).png

Square Root of NOT Gate:

A Square Root of NOT Gate is represented by the unitary matrix,

Screenshot (68).png

It is called the Square Root of NOT Gate because,

Screenshot (68).png

Hadamard Gate

A Hadamard Gate is denoted by the symbol,

Screenshot (68).png

And is represented by the unitary matrix,

Screenshot (68).png

A Hadamard Gate creates superposition state of equal probability by operating on the states Screenshot (98).png and Screenshot (98).png as,

Screenshot (68).png

Multiple Qubit Gates:

A Multiple Qubit Gate operates on a Multiple Qubit state. An example of Multiple Qubit Gate is:

CNOT Gate:

A CNOT Gate or Controlled NOT Gate is denoted by the symbol,

Screenshot (68).png

The top line is called the control qubit and the bottom line is called target qubit. The circuit works on a way that, if the control qubit is set to the state Screenshot (98).png, then the target qubit gets flipped, otherwise remains unchanged i.e.

Screenshot (68).png

In matrix form CNOT Gate is represented as,

Quantum Circuits:

A Quantum Circuit is a combination of one or more Quantum Gates to implement a certain computational problem. Since, a Quantum Gate is a unitary operation, a Quantum Circuit also must be a unitary transformation. Now, the unitary nature of the quantum circuits implies that they are Reversible. It means that applying the inverse of the quantum circuit at the output of the gate we can recover back the original input states. This feature also a factor which makes Quantum Computers superior to Classical Computers.


The Reversible Nature of Quantum Circuits[Source: Self Created]

Universal Quantum Gates:

NAND Gate is known as the Universal Gate in classical computation because, any classical circuit can be implemented by using only NAND Gates. A similar concept of universality exists in quantum computation. There are some sets of Quantum Gates using them any Quantum Circuit can be designed. Such sets of Quantum Gates are known as Universal Quantum Gates. The family of Screenshot (100).png the Screenshot (100).png gate Screenshot (100).png gates is a set of Universal Quantum Gates. There exist other families of Universal Quantum Gates also.

Quantum Algorithms

Just like Classical Algorithms are implemented on Classical Circuits to perform classical computational problems, Quantum Algorithms are implemented on Quantum Circuits to perform quantum computational problems. Quantum Algorithms employ the concepts of Quantum Parallelism and Quantum Interference.

Quantum Parallelism is the property of performing more than one computation simultaneously. A classical processor processes only one computation at a time. To perform more than one calculation simultaneously classical computers need more than one processor interconnected, each processor performing one computation at a time. But, a Quantum Processor can perform more than one computation individually due to the superposition property of quantum states. This feature gives the Quantum Computers, a much larger raw computational power compared to a classical computer.

When two or more Qubit states are brought close to each other, they interfere with each other to form a superposition state much in a similar way two coherent light waves interfere.

Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm: Superiority of Quantum Computers over Classical Computers

Deutch-Jozsa Algorithm named after its developers David Deutsch and Richard Jozsa in 1992 is a Quantum Algorithm which shows the superiority of Quantum Computers over Classical Computers in terms of computing power. The algorithm solves the following problem:

Suppose, Alice in Amsterdam selects a number Screenshot (99).png from 0 to 2n-1 and mails it in a letter to Bob who is in Boston. Upon receiving the number Screenshot (99).png Bob calculates a function Screenshot (100).png and replies with a result 0 or 1. Now, Screenshot (100).png is confirmed to be either constant or balanced. Screenshot (100).png being constant means that its value is either 0 or 1 for all Screenshot (99).png. Screenshot (100).png being balanced means that for half of the values of Screenshot (99).png, Screenshot (100).png is either 0 and for the rest half of the values of Screenshot (99).png, Screenshot (100).png is 1. Now, Alice’s job is to determine whether Bob had chosen constant or balanced, by corresponding to Bob as little as possible.

In a classical framework Alice needs to make at worst Screenshot (101).png queries to Bob to know whether Screenshot (100).png is constant or balanced. It is because, Alice may get Screenshot (101).png 0s before finally getting 1, which proves that Screenshot (100).png was balanced. But, using Deutsch Jozsa Algorithm a Quantum Computer can prove with single evaluation that whther Screenshot (100).png is constant or balanced. Let us see how.

Instead of the classical calculation, the two decides to calculate Screenshot (100).png using the unitary transformation Screenshot (98).png . The whole circuit set up is shown in the figure below.

DJdevre.JPG

The Quantum Circuit for Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm[Source]

Alice has an n Qubit register to store her query and one Single Qubit register which she gives to Bob to store the answer in. Alice now prepares a state,

Screenshot (68).png

i.e. all the Qubits in the query register are in state Screenshot (98).png and in the answer register the qubit is in Screenshot (98).png state. She prepares superposition states by applying Hadamard Gates to the query registers as,

Screenshot (68).png

Now, Bob evaluates the function Screenshot (100).png by using Screenshot (98).png as: Screenshot (68).png which gives,

Screenshot (68).png

Alice, now applies Hadamard Transform to the query registers. Hadamard Transform on the state Screenshot (98).png can be written as,

Screenshot (68).png

Hadamard Transform on an n-Qubit state is written as,

Screenshot (68).png

The equation can be written in a precise manner as,

Screenshot (68).png

Now, the state after the Hadamard Transform can be written as,

Screenshot (68).png

Alice now observes the query register. We notice that the amplitude for Screenshot (68).png is,

Screenshot (68).png

Now, if Screenshot (100).png is constant, then the amplitude of Screenshot (68).png is 1 or -1 and for all other Qubit states the amplitude vanishes because, the amplitude of Screenshot (68).png is normalized to 1. If Screenshot (100).png is balanced, then the amplitude for Screenshot (68).png vanishes as the positive and negative contributions to the amplitude cancel out to zero.

Hence, if Alice’s measurement results in all Qubits to be 0s, then Alice can say that Screenshot (100).png is constant and if she gets at least one Qubit to be 1, then Screenshot (100).png is balanced. In this way Alice could decide with only one evaluation whether Screenshot (100).png is constant or balanced.

Many other Quantum Algorithms have been developed which proves the superiority of Quantum Computers over Classical Computers. Among them, Shor’s Algorithm and Grover’s Search Algorithm are the most popular ones. Shor’s Algorithm can factorize a very large number exponentially faster than a Classical Computer. Grover’s Algorithm is used to search an unsorted database in much smaller time than a Classical Algorithm.

Challenges of Quantum Computation

Building an efficient and reliable Quantum Computer is a challenging process. A Quantum System is very delicate to external environment. The electromagnetic noises in the environment causes disturbance and destroys the original state of the Qubits. For this reason, the system has to be isolated from the environment by keeping the system at extremely low temperature. It requires a lot of maintenance cost and the system becomes bulky. Researches are underway to to make Quantum Computers of the future much efficient and reliable.

Readers can watch the Documentary on Quantum Computing Posted by the Youtube Channel "PD Knowledge" below:

Though Quantum Computer is in its infancy we could easily foresee the revolutionary future it has, its impact on the world in the future. Quantum Computers will revolutionize the way how technology works. Quantum Computers will make early detection of Cancer possible, very efficiently by analyzing large number of factors causing the disease in a faster way. It will make weather forecast extremely efficient by analyzing a very large number of variables very quickly. Quantum Computers will be able to analyze vast numbers of data transmitted by the telescopes and help detect distant planets very easily. It will also help develop more effective drugs for superior drug based treatments. Quantum Computing is a major key to the success of Artificial Intelligence. From these facts it is well evident that the future of the world is much smarter compared to the present world. Quantum Computers will bring a revolution in much a similar way Classical Computers had brought in the last few decades. It is evident from the fact that most of the tech giants of the world like Google, IBM are in a rigorous race to develop Quantum Computers. Google is already developing driverless cars based on Quantum Computing. The race to develop these computing giants is bringing them close to a newer milestones every year to develop them for commercial purpose and well-being of human society. May be in a few decades we may start to see the impact of Quantum Computers in our life.

References:


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nuclear fusion was also supposed to be a revolution in energy, same with the quantum computer fud. lots of hype to get fancy 'scientists' (showing complex formulea) funds from the taxpayers. we need higher taxes please. these quantum computers can only work at near absolute zero similar to nuclear fusion needing high temperatures like those inside the sun. oh what's up with global warming scientists? what's next scientists? oh i forgot AI which will drive automatic cars yet they cant even get trains to stay on the tracks

Oh...probably one should stop trying something that holds tremendous potential just because it is causing money. Right? Great thought dude.
Everything takes time. Its not like you'l enter the lab in the morning and come out in the evening with a design of a Quantum Computer or Nuclear fusion reactor.

True what you say, agree, but some science pumps are bogus bamboozeling money grabs like global warming, uh climate change uh global cooling uh quantum computing uh artificial stupidity

Ah...its better to try it while the world is facing an imminent danger in the future rather than sitting a mere spectator. And the electronic devices that you are using were not developed so easily. It took almost 7 decades to bring the computers to this form today. And quantum computing holds a lot of potential. It will take the world specially the medical sector to a much higher level

great discussion guys...I'm all for AI after all humans are doing a pretty good job of screwing up the planet. And I'm less & less sure about the scientists - each day as per @leeuw However, I do know the sun and the solar cyles - they are extremely predictable. the past is the key to the future ie. the Maunder, Glassberg & Dalton minimum plus the Eddy minimum that is now upon us. My question is how will computers & AI benefit us or themselves when the lights go out ??? just a thought...

today's scientists claim huge taxpayer funded handouts by echoing gov goals do the math welcome to the future of science and don't you dare to counter argue this gov mandated 'science' for example by using contradicting measurement data, you will be called flat earther or worse

Um, let me guess, the earth is flat?

yes (not) and the icecaps had molten away years ago - oh not yet? they will melt SOOOOON!

Loved this write up and totally can't wait for the next evolution in computers. We seem to be rather stuck here at 4.5 GHz and just keep throwing cores on instead of really progressing in speed.

Such an aggressive study to develop something I think never happened. All the big companies are investing on Quantum Computing research

We stopped progressing at speed at around 4GHz because that is the limit for air cooling. Intel had plans all the way up to single core 8GHz CPUs and then at 4GHz hit the thermal wall and had to scrap there single core plans. Only after hitting that thermal wall Intel started to go multi core.

I know it probably seems like a forced comment but a friend of mine was actually going on about quantum computing yesterday and this post fell completely in my lap...followed you here from an upvote on an overhead mic position drum article! Awesome. Steem is amazing.

Thank you friend and Sorry for the late response. Following you.

Awesome post as always. You discussed almost everything of quantum computers. Even the Quantum Logic gates and the formula of Qubits.

Never read such a in-depth post on Quantum Computers. Just one word for this: Impeccable.


Keep sharing your knowledge and keep developing. Merry Christmas. :)

Thank you bro...keep steeming

Wow!! What a post!! Thank you for those very precious information. As i am a physicist and a semiconductor process engineer, i now start to follow you.

Thank you. Followed you too. Keep in touch and support me. So would I.

I agree.. great write up! I hope to see more of your articles.

Sure. With your support I'l be bringing more such contents

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What an article, gave me lot of inputs at the right time. Do you know that microsoft has come up with a new programming language called 'Q#' - Quantum programming language. This is the hot news for people working on microsoft technologies and your article will surely give lot of information for people starting on the new technology. Keep writing. loved it.

Thank you bro. You are from India?

yes i am :)

Join me in the discord. The same username

Sure i will

Well that is a lot of formuli :D Great work though.

Anyway, I study molecular biology and I had an idea. As you wrote, quantum computer can help us to design better drugs. Actually I think it may help us to create ultimate super cool molecules, enzymes that can do literally everything.

The other day I thought how strange it is, that we discover a new protein and we arent simply able to tell its function. Although we know every amino-acid in the sequence, we arent able to tell its 3D shape (and then derive a fucntion from this shape). Our computers are just not enough for this task. So we just have to test them and look at the nature. Every enzyme that we use today to edit genomes are just enzymes that we discovered in nature. And they are far from perfect, they make errors. But we dont know what should we change in order to be more precise.

So maybe in the future we might be able to design molecules, their shapes that will do exactly what we want. Editing genomes with 0 mistakes for example. That would be extremely cool.

On the otherhand, it should not be problem to create something extremely deadly also...
Looking forward what will this revolution bring us.

Yeah, with Quantum Computing you'l get a genius machine with you to do the job for you. But, we may not see it happening at that level in our life.
Thank you for commenting.

Quantum Computing is some heavy subject matter, I'll say.

Yeah.. indeed heavy a lot

Great Article...! here i try to write article about ### Latest Gadgets
Let me know if you like it.

Your link is not loading. I'm having network issues. Will check for sure. Thank you. Keep steeming

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