Quantum Computing

Ian Gooch

Current Research Objective

Create a stable model

Determine how calculations be performed on a quantum level

Explore the potential benefits of operating on a quantum level

What is a Quantum Computer?

A quantum computer is a computer that functions on a quantum level.

A quantum computer is not built on the exploits of silicon, but electrons.

Due to the nature of an electron, a quantum computer’s primitive value has a number of potential benefits, although currently, the technology faces several hurdles to overcome.

A quantum computer is capable of storing astronomically large amounts of data within the space that a traditional system occupies.

Stability of a Quantum Computer

A quantum computer is significantly more prone to instability than a traditional model.

Objects interact and behave very differently on a quantum level when compared to a macro scale system.

Cosmic forces and even vibrations can have unpredictable effects on the state of an electron thus ruining any data that is stored.

Instability of execution code creates inaccuracy.

A functional computer is of no use if the calculations are inaccurate or incorrect.

Therefore, a system that shields the electrons from outside forces is essential for stability.

The shielding system must allow the data to be retrieved without disturbing the electrons within.

What is a Qubit

Qubits offer every benefit of a traditional bit while being incredibly small.

Qubits can be in either an on or off state as well as any quantum superposition.

Reading a Qubit has proven to be difficult due to the scale and quantum nature.

Bloch sphere diagram representing a qubit

Calculating on a Quantum Computer

Because qubits are so sensitive, performing an accurate calculation in a quantum computer has proved to be very difficult.

In order for a calculation to be accurate, the qubits involved in the calculation must remain undisturbed for the duration of the calculation.

While quantum processors have been proven to be exponentially faster than traditional processors, the construction of them is no easy task. The fabrication requires that the placement of components be incredibly precise.

The quantum processor pictured below was built with the goal of utilizing 4 qubits to map the number 15 and in tests has shown to only be accurate 48% of the time.

Pictured: Quantum Processor

Current Research

Researchers working at the University of New South Wales have found that silicon can be used to protect Qubits from external forces.

It has been found that nitrogen-vacancy, a defect in nano diamonds, could potentially be used to read information from quantum computers. This research is currently being performed by a team headed by Holleitner and is based out of Germany and Spain.

A chip has been developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota that generates both sound and light, but in which the sound is capable of controlling the light. The interaction between light and sound produced by the chip could allow sound waves to carry information throughout a quantum system.

Short Video Explaining Quantum Computing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgFVzOksm4o

Resources

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2837813/researchers-use-silicon-to-push-quantum-computing-toward-reality.html

http://discover.umn.edu/news/science-technology/university-minnesota-engineers-make-sound-loud-enough-bend-light-computer

http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2014.276.html

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-08/quantum-processor-calculates-15-3x5-about-half-time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computer