Insight to Quantum computing and Qubits
Via Unfold Answers by Ashwin
Quantum computing is the computing process which is based completely upon quantum laws and is carried out by
quantum phenomena. Despite our lack of complete control over the quantum phenomena, this thing has created a
great fuss in modern community.
In this article, I attempt to provide an insight to quantum computing starting from computing, leaving the practicality
aside.
Computing
Modern computers compute or evaluate on the basis of bits – binary + digits, a two-dimensional logic and the device
they use is transistor (a small switching device). These bits have two states either ‘0’ or ‘1’ corresponding to off or on
state of a transistor.
To carry out a computation, let’s say adding 2 and 3, they are converted to binary at first. 2 is 10 and 3 is 11, the
combination of two transistors with on/off state and an – on state. Then the adder circuit gives the result in binary
(101) which is converted to a decimal number (5).
Likewise, subtraction can be
We needed four transistors plus the adder circuit for this operation.
carried out. Since multiplication and division are just complex forms of addition
and subtraction, all four mathematical operations can be carried out.
Also, the number of transistors can be increased to perform complex
computations. The processors today consist of billions of transistors within an
area of a few hundreds millimeter square. This enables them to execute much
complex computation as well as logical operations.
Need of quantum computing
Modern processors consist of transistors of size as small as 7 nanometers (billionth fraction of a meter). As the
transistor gets thinner, the current can even flow in the off state by a phenomenon called quantum tunneling. So, the
off and on state cannot be separated and the base of modern computing collapses.
This has posed a limitation on the size and hence the processing ability of the transistor-based devices that we use in
our daily life.
Apart from this, at such small level, the quantum properties become dominant over the classical ones. It might
introduce different anomalies which obstructs the functioning of a device based on classical laws.
So, it would be rather advantageous to make use of quantum phenomena in the quantum realm i.e. using a device
that works under quantum laws in the quantum level, despite the use of the classical logical devices.
This could solve the problem of miniaturization. Further, a closer look at the quantum properties such as superposition
yields processing faster as well as powerful than the classical one.
What is quantum computing?
Quantum computing is the computing process which is completely based upon quantum mechanical phenomena
called superposition of quantum states and the entanglement of these states. Unlike modern computers which use bits,
they use qubits as input and output for executing mathematical or logical operations.
Superposition state is like a limbo state. If we consider the superposition of bits, it means neither 1 nor 0 but an
intermediate state between two. However, as you measure, either you’ll get 1 or 0. You might get 1 once and 0 next
time.
For processing, it can use quantum gates. These gates or simply operator carry out the operations which alters the
probability and also generates outcomes. The observations can be carried out numerous times and the probability
distribution of outcomes can be obtained.
Since states occur simultaneously as a superposition, it can evaluate many possibilities at once. Classical computer
checks every possibility individually to give the result. So, this can make computing faster.
The Qubit
Qubit is a short form of Quantum – binary – digit. This means two possible states associated with a quantum entity. For
instance, it can be an intrinsic spin of an electron or polarization of a photon.
Spin is either up or down. Polarization is either vertical or horizontal. These two states can be treated as 0 and 1 in
either case. Then the operations can be carried out as stated above.
Quantum computing requires just 2 qubits as compared to 4 bits for providing input to above addition operation, 2 + 3.
Since it works under superposition of states, lesser qubits produce more number of combinations. 10 qubits can hold
1000 combinations together.
The qubits can hold a lot of probabilities together simultaneously. Also, the qubits communicate instantaneously
through entanglement. This can lead to superiority in terms of speed as well as the storage of information can be
aided.
Furthermore – Qutrit
Qutrit is abbreviation of Quantum – Tri-state – digit. This refers to three states (observable quantity) associated to a
quantum entity. This is a little bit extraordinary than usual modern digital units since it uses a superposition of three
quantum states rather than two as of qubit.
Logical operations have two outcomes basically. So, the use of this type of three state system can be in a different kind
of logic or elsewhere than quantum computing. (Quantum teleportation in high dimensions )
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