Quantum Computing Andrew Krumbach Carolyn Camara Jeremy Gutierrez Devin Tanner Corey Howman Peter Walker Marco Veglia

What is it? The act of computing data using the principles of quantum mechanics to our advantage A Quantum Computer uses Qubits instead of classical bits A quantum computer will be able to solve some specialized problems that currently take classical computers a very long time to solve quantum computer can potentially solve some problems in seconds that would take a classical computer years This is because a quantum computer can use some principles of quantum mechanics to it’s advantage While a classical computer has bits, a quantum computer uses what are called qubits

What is a Qubit? QUantum BIT Similar in concept to a standard bit Can hold not only the status ‘0’ and ‘1’ but superposition of both states |0>+B|1> A qubit is similar to a classical bit A classical bit can hold either a 1 or a 0, an on or off A qubit can store an on, off, and both at the same time This is because it uses the quantum principle of superposition

How Qubits are Used Superposition allows for us to store many combinations in very few qubits 4 classical bits, 2^4 combinations 4 x 2^4 bits to hold ALL combinations 4 qubits, all are in superposition 4 qubits to hold ALL combinations Superposition is what is used to give quantum computers their edge in processing power. This comes from the ability to “store” many combinations in exponentially fewer bits. If we want to store all of the combinations of 4 bits in a classical computer, we need 4 bits for every combination, of which there are 2^4 (16). We need 64 bits If we want to store all of the 4 bit combinations in a quantum computer, we only need 4 qubits. Each qubit can be in a superposition until we measure it, so it can be in all combinations until we measure it

Current Qubit Technologies Electron Spin Magnetic moment of an electron SQUIDs Superconducting QUantum Interference Device Two common mediums that are being developed for quantum computers are electrons and superconducting circuits SQUIDs are superconducting quantum interference device At near 0 kelvin, superconductors has 0 electrical resistance. Current flows in both directions Raise temperature to see which direction it is flowing (clockwise vs counter great different magnetic fields) Electrons have a spin to them (earth vs sun) Electron spin creates magnetic field, up for 1 and down for 0

Obstacles Decoherence Expenses of Quantum Computer’s necessary environment SQUIDs must be kept at 20-80 milliKelvin Electrons are hard to hold on to Effective use of quantum source code tendency of a quantum computer to decay from a given quantum state as it interacts and entangles with state of environment current methods are near-0 Kelvin freezing, and shielding quantum processor from environment Shielding and cooling is very expensive, and requires very specific systems to be in place. Not impossible, just difficult Can’t be done in your backyard We are also unsure of how to effectively code for a quantum computer, so that needs to be tested, along with determining the most effective way to run a quantum computer

Current Projects D-Wave Two NMR Quantum Computers Google and NASA IBM D-Wave Two is a computer based off of SQUID circuits The D-Wave processor is cooled to near 0 Kelvin, then slowly heated up minutely “Collapsed” bits are used in other classical processes cryogenics system within 10 square meter shielded room D-Wave Two was bought by Google and NASA recently NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) uses electron spin to store qubits Developed by IBM and Stanford Not scalable (difficult to create multiple electron spin based qubits)

Why is it so special? Quantum computing could be the beginning of… Incredible Problem Solving Optimization Artificial Intelligence Deep Space Travel Incredible Problem Solving Able to work in parallel Large number crunching Optimization Again working in parallel Process large and small calculations at a larger rate than classical computers Artificial Intelligence Process more calculations to make it seem human Deep Space Travel

Problem Solving Potential A quantum computer can be used to quickly solve problems with many solutions Qubits will “store” all of the potential solution, and become the most correct one when computed upon The Travelling Salesman Problem solving potential Quickly solve problems with many solutions Parallel Qubit store potential solutions eventually find correct answer when computed Traveling salesman Most efficient way to reach everyone within alloted time

Optimization One Quantum Computer has the potential to solve problems all of Google’s data centers can’t together Will lead to faster services for questions concerning travel plans, drug synthesis, database mining, etc. Optimization More efficient processing Take for example that one quantum computer has the potential to solve the problems all of Google’s data centers can’t together Lead to faster services for questions concerning travel plans, drug synthesis, database mining, bitcoin mining potential.

Basis for Artificial Intelligence Robots hear and see better than we do, but cannot process new sounds and images. Quantum Computing will allow them to process this information like a human, making connections and inferences They will be able to act human Right now robots are already better than us at picking up information through both seeing and hearing, however they have no idea what they are processing most of the time. Quantum Computing will help a robot understand that it is looking at a chair or a table, something that is right now very difficult to do. Not the terminator by any means, and don’t foresee that type of A.I. in any near future, but quantum computing is the basis.

Deep Space Travel Quantum Computers will let us explore the quantum level of the world Could lead to advances in space travel technology Optimization will let us find new habitable worlds Quantum mechanics is the math best suited for helping us explore space intergalactically. T.V. and Movie’s all portray this intergalactic space travel as sort of traveling through a tunnel. Quantum Computres would be the only computers capable of handling the sheer amount of calculations needed to complete such spaced travel. Optimization of the science we use by using a quantum computer will also help us better estimate the possibility of new habitable worlds, where they might be, and just how many there are. Conventional computers don’t have nearly the computational power and accuracy to be able to predict such things, a quantum computer with it’s use of superposition previously discussed, can optimize these issues, eventually answering questions like “is there another earth out there?”

Not All Sunshine and Roses Can single-handedly make every firewall and encryption in the world obsolete. Would expose everyone to malicious attacks

How Far Away? Still in developmental stage Require lots of specialized equipment and a very controlled environment Source code is still not fully developed It may be scalable, but not reducible

Questions?