Quantum Computer Scientists FUTURE JOBS READERS Level 4-③ Quantum Computer Scientists

New Computers How are today’s computers different from old computers? Computers today are much smaller and easier to carry than old computers. They are also more useful. They have better programs and better devices like optical mouses, touch screens, computer pens. Today’s computers can also connect to the internet. A cordless computer mouse A computer that is light enough to carry with one hand A touch screen tablet A computer drawing tablet Thinking like a calculator What has not changed about computers over the decades? Computers still have the brains of a calculator. They only think in sequences of 0s and 1s.

Quantum Computers More options with quantum data How will quantum computers be different from regular computers? Quantum computers will store and read data as qubits. These qubits can be 0s or 1s or 0s and 1s at the same time. They can also be any number between 0 and 1! What is a way for people to imagine a qubit? Imagining a qubit A qubit sphere You can imagine a qubit like a sphere. A regular bit can either be at the top pole of the sphere (1) or at the bottom pole (0). A qubit can be any point on the sphere.

Will qubits really make a big difference in computers? The Benefits of Quantum Computers Ways to store computer data in the past Waiting for a slow computer Will qubits really make a big difference in computers? Yes, they will! A computer using qubits can store much more information using less energy than a classical computer. Quantum computers will also be much faster. Quantum computers should be able to think about a million jobs at a time!

Has anyone made a quantum computer yet? Where Are These Quantum Computers? Has anyone made a quantum computer yet? University professors and large companies have been working on quantum computers for years. A company in Canada named D-Wave reported some very interesting results it had with its quantum computer project. So in the near future, it looks like there are going to be lots of opportunities for young people who are ready to work as quantum computer scientists. A researcher in a computer lab Many companies are interested in quantum computers.

How can a person become a quantum computer scientist? Becoming a Quantum Research Scientist –Ⅰ Receiving a university degree How can a person become a quantum computer scientist? These days, quantum research scientists need to have a Ph.D. in physics, engineering, or mathematics.

What is it like to work as a quantum computer scientist? Becoming a Quantum Research Scientist –Ⅱ A team of computer scientists What is it like to work as a quantum computer scientist? Quantum research scientists need to be able to talk to the public. Quantum research scientists usually work on teams with engineers, mathematicians, and other physicists. They may even work on teams with university students who are studying quantum physics. They may travel for research or conferences as well.

Does this job mostly require good speaking skills? Becoming a Quantum Research Scientist - III Writing about computer research Does this job mostly require good speaking skills? No, quantum research scientists not only talk about their research, but they have to write about it as well. They need to keep records of their research. They have to write reports to explain their research findings to share them with people in companies and with other researchers.

Once We Have Quantum Computers Working on a simple, dependable computer design Will this job disappear after reliable quantum computers are developed? No, there will still be opportunities to improve these new computers, just like old computers were improved in the past. Quantum computer research scientists will be needed . . . to make the design of the new computers simpler. to find ways to make the computers work better.

Vocabulary decade n. ten years dependable adj. reliable; trustworthy

Vocabulary mathematician n. optical adj. a person who studies or specializes in math optical adj. related to light or lasers

Vocabulary physicist n. quantum n. a person who studies or specializes in physics quantum n. the smallest fundamental unit of energy or momentum that has an assigned value

Vocabulary sequence n. sphere v. a connected series of symbols or numbers that come in order, one after the other sphere v. a ball; a round, three-dimensional object