Quantum computing promises disruptive breakthroughs, but not only for code-cracking; think what it can do for medicine, materials science, molecular biology, and financial applications
By Rich Quinnell, editor, special projects, technical,
Quantum computing is one of
those technologies that is easy to dismiss as too "out there" to
worry about today. Even the most optimistic estimates set practical utilization
more than a decade off. But the technology involves such a disruptive paradigm
shift in computing that prudent developers should begin looking into quantum
computing right now.
Discussions of quantum
computing tend to focus on its potential to vastly out-perform conventional
computing. One application often mentioned in this context is cryptography,
specifically the cracking of data security by extracting private encryption
keys from protected message traffic. The algorithms for doing so are known, but
are so computationally intensive that cracking, say, a 2048-bit RSA encryption
key (widely used for securing today's Internet traffic) would take decades even
for the fastest supercomputer available. Recent estimates, however, suggest
that a quantum computer could crack the code in eight hours.
This alarming prospect — that
encrypted communications once thought to be secure long beyond the protected
information's useful lifetime may be in danger — is what generated so much
excitement about quantum computing in the first place. But code-cracking
is not the only application where the technology promises disruptive
breakthroughs, and these other opportunities have further fueled interest.
Medicine, materials science, molecular biology, and financial applications are
all exploring what quantum computing can do for them. And the interest is
In 2018 the US
Government passed the National Quantum Initiative Act, creating a
National Quantum Coordination Office and providing $1.2 billion to fund quantum
information science activities for the next five years. The EU has also
authorized funding, up to €1 billion, for a quantum master plan. And China is
investing heavily, seeking to leapfrog the US in quantum technology.
Quantum computers are already
operational, although currently too simple to outperform traditional computers
(a milestone known as quantum supremacy). IBM has made its Q
System One computer available for commercial experimentation and
research and created a network of partners such as Exxon/Mobile to further the
nascent industry. D-wave, Rigetti, and several other companies have also made
available functioning quantum computers. Google has a quantum AI research effort, as does Intel, and
Microsoft has created its own Quantum
Network of software and hardware providers to further the
This processor from D-Wave is
one of several operational quantum systems available to application developers
exploring the technology. (Image: D-Wave)
So, it's still early days for
the technology and many years before it comes out of the research realm into
practical application. Yet it is still important for industries to begin
exploring the use of this technology today. This early start is necessary
because quantum computing is not simply faster computing, it differs
dramatically from traditional computing in the way it solves problems.
Developers will need the time to become familiar with the new approach so that
they are prepared to use quantum computing as soon as it is ready.
achieves its results by following a sequence of steps, called an algorithm,
when making its calculations. If seeking to find a value that optimizes or
satisfies some complex function, for instance, a traditional computer must
algorithmically explore, one after another, all the possible choices. The
quantum computer, though, essentially considers all the possible answers
simultaneously through the quantum mechanical properties of entanglement and
To utilize a quantum computer
the programmer specifies a series of quantum gates that establish the
conditions defining the problem to be solved. This quantum gate setup leverages
the probability and wave interference nature of the quantum computer's bits
(called qubits or sometimes qbits), to alter an input vector so that the output
vector represents a likely answer to the problem. A single run does not produce
certainty in its result, however, it merely has a high probability of being
correct. By conducting many such trials, the quantum computer can increase that
probability to as near certainty as desired. And even though it requires
multiple runs to yield an accurate result, the total computational time can be
substantially less than the algorithmic approach if the quantum computer has
enough qbits in play.
This approach is so different
from conventional computing that current computer and programming expertise
will essentially be inapplicable to quantum computing. Developers will have to
start from scratch to learn quantum computing. The time to start building
quantum computing expertise, then, is now.
The Aspencore Network created
this Quantum Computing Special Project to help give you that head start. In The Basics of Quantum Computing—A Tutorial we
provide insights into how a quantum computer works and where you can develop
some experience with them. What's Next in Quantum Computing? offers a glimpse
into the current trends in the technology's evolution. Power supply management
in Quantum computers looks at the issues inherent in powering these exotic
devices. Finally, we ask Will we need a ‘supercomputer’ on our desk, to explore
the business reasons for embracing the technology.
Check out all the stories inside this
Quantum Computing Special Project.
The Basics of Quantum
Advances in quantum computing are happening at breakneck speed. For engineers
that want to be a part of its rapid evolution, there are free, hands-on ways to
learn the basics and actually experience the technology.
What's Next in Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing is on a steady upward trajectory, but the field is in flux
with new technologies starting to come online.
Power supply management in quantum computers
The road to efficiently powering a quantum computer will require a quantum leap
in power management technology.
Will we need a ‘supercomputer’ on our desk?
Cloud computing and big data analysis will require the development of ever more
performant computing systems. We can imagine what these high-performance
computers might look like as early as 2035.