Quantum Computing 101: A Simple Overview of a Revolutionizing Industry

Quantum computing — a field that sounds like a figment of sci-fi movies. This industry is rapidly advancing as it shatters traditional computer barriers by solving complex computational problems in industries such as data encryption and healthcare.

In this article, I will provide a simplified/minimalist overview of how quantum computing works, its key behaviors, its detriments, and its future impact.

Quantum Computing

How It Works

In classical computing, we use bits that can have one of two values: 0 or 1.

• These values are used to represent the on/off states of electronic switches, which are the basic building blocks of computer processors.
• By combining many of these switches and using logical operations such as AND/OR to manipulate values, classical computers can perform complex calculations and process large amounts of data.

In quantum computing, we use qubits, which is short for quantum bit. This is the basic unit of quantum information in quantum computing.

• These are similar to classic computing bits, but they can be in multiple states at the same time, meaning it can be both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This is a phenomenon known as superposition.
• This occurs because qubits are based on the principles of quantum mechanics, which studies the weird behaviors of super tiny things such as atoms and electrons.

Key Behaviors

• Superposition: As mentioned in the previous section, it refers to the ability of a qubit to exist in multiple states simultaneously.
• Entanglement: This occurs when two or more qubits become correlated and their states become linked. This means if you observe the state of a particle, you would know the state of the other regardless of its distance from one another. It’s like having a pair of socks that are forever connected, if one sock is black then you know the other is as well regardless of its location.
• Interference: Refers to the ability of qubits canceling out certain states and amplifying others when qubits are combined. This creates a complex pattern of probabilities that allows quantum computers to perform computations much faster than the classical computer.

Detriments

Simply put, quantum computing does the work of classical computers but significantly faster. This sounds perfect, however, there is a catch.

• This field is still in its early stages and is not yet widely available.
• It is EXTREMELY difficult to build and operate, as qubits are very sensitive to their environment and can easily become decoherent.

Future Use

Now that you understand how it works, its key behaviors, and its detriments, it is valuable to understand: what does all of this mean for the future of the computing industry? It means that quantum computing can solve problems that classical computing cannot, for example:

• It can factor large numbers exponentially faster, which is a huge factor in the implementations of cryptography and encryption industries. This can have a direct effect on the development of tech security.
• It can also simulate complex systems such as chemical reactions, which can have applications in drug discovery and materials science, pushing innovation and healthcare research significantly.

In conclusion, quantum computing is a new and exciting field that has the potential to change the world as we know it. While it may seem complex and difficult to understand at first, it is important to keep an eye on its development as it will undoubtedly have a major impact on the way we live and work.