Quantum Processors

Group 1

Jennifer Anderson, Brittney Flowers, Jennifer Kordsmeier, Dmitriy Kolotey, and Tonia Robbins

Key Words: Quantum Information, Qubits, Superposition, Entanglement

Imagine a computer with unbreakable codes that can solve a problem in seconds compared to supercomputers today, which could take years to solve the same problem. A new hardware technology called quantum processors could be the answer. Quantum processors use quantum bits, or qubits, which can be a 1, 0, or a combination of both. Today’s computer chips consist of electrical switches that mean either on or off, represented by a 1 or 0. Qubits, however, have different spin states where a spin down corresponds to a 1 and a spin up corresponds to a 0. Quantum processors have the ability to strengthen and expand the U.S. economy and security in the 21st century in the same way that transistors and lasers did in the 20th century.

 

Quantum processors are powered by the superposition and entanglement of qubits. Superposition allows qubits to process more information than today’s digital bits. This occurs when a qubit exists in two quantum states at any given moment consisting of some combination of 1 and 0. A qubit can exist in an infinite amount of states until it is measured. It then collapses into either a 1 or 0. The implication is that with just a few hundred qubits, a quantum processor can have far more power than a network of the best supercomputers of today.

 

Entanglement describes a phenomenon in which two qubits can become correlated to predictably interact with each other regardless of how far apart they are. The term correlation refers to 2 qubits who can become entangled with one another and retain a type of connection. It allows multiple states to be acted on simultaneously. For example, when a classical computer factors a 200 digit number, it performs each calculation step by step. With entanglement, a quantum processor could perform many calculations at once reaching a correct answer much faster than a classical computer. Entanglement is unique because it offers a way of transmitting data on distant quantum bits.

 

While quantum processors are still being researched, the University of Michigan has developed a quantum chip containing one cadmium ion. The chip is about the size of a postage stamp and could be a serious gain in the race to build a quantum computer. The ion is put into an ion trap where a laser is beamed toward it giving the ion various spin states. When the chip checks the ion, the correct value can then be viewed either as a one, zero, or combination of the two. This value is called a qubit. Alone, one qubit doesn’t do any good, but grouping them together will create a computer that is much faster that any on the market today. The key is finding the right number of qubits that will allow for efficiency while still being accurate. 

 

From a business standpoint, this new hardware can drastically change the way in which our society operates. Quantum processors can store a lot of information and accurately solve many types of problems that conventional computers cannot. However, currently this technology is best used for any problem where you have to reduce a large amount of data in order to find an answer. It hasn’t been perfected yet to use in other applications such as Microsoft Word or email. It will just be a matter of time until every one will have a quantum processor. For example, maybe a company wants to collect information about its customers. With a quantum processor, they could store every detail of information about every customer in their database and be able to search records instantaneously. Why stop there? You could store information such as work experience, education, and family history about every person in the world! You could be getting specialized emails that will tell you what products or services you need and why you need them. Since these codes would be virtually unbreakable, other companies couldn’t hack into a database and send you unsolicited emails. Any business who can afford this new hardware would have a significant competitive advantage. It seems unimaginable today, but it could become a reality.

 

Quantum processors can benefit not only business, but many other fields as well. In logistics and distribution, the use of quantum processors will make all calculations virtually instantaneous. Many service jobs could be eliminated with this new technology. The computer would sound and act just like a person over the phone so that a customer would never know the difference. In consumer industries, statistical information could be used to pinpoint individual preferences even as they change minute by minute. Quantum processors could eliminate phone tag and the need for fixed phone lines in telecommunications by simultaneously scheduling millions of connections among people. If quantum computers can break through the speech recognition barrier, keyboards would become obsolete. We would all be wearing wrist-watch computers to instantaneously keep in touch with all forms of knowledge, art, culture, and commerce. The quantum computer could also be used in such areas as database management and developing new drugs in the medical industry.

 

While there are many benefits to quantum processors, there are also some challenges. One problem is that these new chips are very small, making it almost impossible for humans to fix any problems. New software must be developed in order to fix any technical problems. Second, the ions inside of chips tend to ‘flop” around, meaning that they often change values from a 1 to a 0, or vice versa. This makes the computations of some mathematical problems very inaccurate. If we can find a way to overcome these challenges, we will change the future of business.

 

In the next five to twenty years, quantum processors could lead to a new way of life. The development of one cadmium ion quantum chip is the first step in the creation of a quantum computer using the qubit. Instead of a classical computer, we will all be learning to use the new quantum chip. With better technology, we will be able to make better decisions. We will be solving problems faster, making business more efficient. Everything from education to entertainment will be affected by this new hardware and the United States will be the leader in a new technological revolution.

 

References

 

Cheung, Humphrey. (January 2006). University of Michigan develops quantum processor. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/01/17/uofmich_quantumchip/

 

Mainelli, Michael. (August 2006). Impact of Quantum Computing. Retrieved September 19, 2006 from http://www.zyen.com/Knowledge/Articles/impact_of_quantum_computing.htm

 

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (April 2006). What is Quantum Information. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/quantum/what_is_quantuminfo.html

 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (February 2006). Quantum computer solves problem, without running. Retrieved September 19, 2006 from http://www.physorg.com/news11087.html

 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (January 2006). Quantum computing steps forward. Retrieved September 19, 2006 from http://www.physorg.com/news10079.html

 

Whatis.com. (April 2006). Entanglement. Retrieved September 19, 2006 from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci341428,00.html

 

Wikipedia. (September 2006). Qubit. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qubit

 

Wikipedia. (September 2006). Quantum entanglement. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_entanglement

 

 

Quantum Processors

Group 1

 

1. Researchers at what University produced the first scalable quantum computer chip?

                A. University of Arkansas

                B. University of Michigan

                C. UCLA

                D. New York University

 

2. Quantum bits are

                A. 1

                B. 0

                C. both

                D. all of the above

 

3. The benefits of quantum processing are all of the following EXCEPT

                A. Publishing

                B. Telecommunications

                C. Management Software

                D. Service Jobs

 

4. What are the limits to quantum computing?

                A. imagination

                B. space

                C. time

                D. communication

 

5. “Flopped” ions are

                A. ions that have changed values from a 1 to a 0, or vice versa.

                B. ions that don’t work.

                C. ions that fall out of the ion trap.

                D. all of the above.

 

6. When will quantum processors be available?

                A. next week

                B. October 2007

                C. 5-20 years

                D. they are already available

 

7. The size of a quantum chip is roughly the same as

                A. potato

                B. postage stamp

                C. penny

                D. computer screen