
Quantum Computing: Unlocking The Future Horizon In Technology
Quantum computing is representing a groundbreaking and emerging advancement in the field of technology which harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve and tackle with complex problems which are unsolvable when doing with the help of classical computers. It will help solving high and complex problems at high-speed limit and will transform entire technological industry. It takes advantage of the inherent ability of subatomic particles to be able to exist in multiple state at a time as being quantum bits (qubits), unlike traditional computers. This groundbreaking and unique capability that offers an enhancement in many fields such as Artificial Intelligence, enhancing cryptography, and also in accelerating drug discovery will be explored in this article. However, with every new technology, no matter how groundbreaking it looks, bring within a set of challenges which needs to be addressed to realize its full potential. This article explores a brief information of Quantum computing.
Keywords: Quantum computing, quantum physics, qubits
Introduction:
Quantum computing exploration began back in the 1980s when a well-known physicist Richard Feynman proposed the concept of the machine being capable of doing tasks with the help of a phenomenon known as quantum. Moving towards today, quantum computing is still an exploring technological field. Humans have always pushed the boundaries of technology in every possible way and quantum computing representsthe next frontier in the field of technology.
Quantum Computing is an innovative and groundbreaking approach that tackles complex problems and unlike traditional computers that rely on binary bits, quantum computing utilizes qubits, which offers a unique capability to exist in multiple states simultaneously with using the properties of quantum physics and phenomenon known as superposition. This enables computers that uses quantum particles to solve calculations much faster.In the coming decade, quantum computing has a great potential to transform many industries using massive quantum computing capability.In the recent messaging to come-out of google they claimed that their new Willion chip (Neven, 2024) performed computation in less than five minutes that normally it would take 10 septillion years using fastest supercomputers available.This is how massive change this computing power can bring out.This enables challenges to be solved in minutes using quantum computing which might take years to be solved using classical computers.
The area of quantum computing explores a range of disciplines, including quantum hardware and quantum algorithms. The study of subatomic particles, also known a quantum mechanics in the field of physics reveals us unique natural principles. (Smalley, 2024)
Four main keys that can be said to be heart of quantum computing includes 1.Quantum bit or superposition:(A qubit or quantum bit, can exist in superposition of the state representing 0 and 1 simultaneously unlike classical bits which makes qubit unique enough to have more than two states at a time), and 2.Entanglement: (Entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum computing where two or more qubit interconnects that they both depends on each-other no matter how far they are positioned at).3.Decoherence: (Decoherence is the process in which a system in a quantum state collapses into a non-quantum state). 4.Interference: It is phenomenon where the probability amplitudes of different quantum states combine in a way that some probabilities increase and some decrease.
How is Quantum Computing different in working compared to Traditional Computing?
Quantum Computing and traditional computing are two totally parallel computing techniques.
Programming language:
Traditional and classical computing devices use bits 0s and 1s to process the information it has many programming languages to process the data such as Java, SQL, python, and many more. But quantum computers do not work using or owns any programming language it requires the development and implementation of every algorithm specifically.
Speed:
Classical computers process all the calculations at a time in a sequential manner and take a lot of time depending on the amount of data. In quantum computing many data can be processed at the same time and it gives the result and many possibilities at once, making it potentially much faster.
Current use:
The computing techniques that are normally used everywhere in smartphones, laptops, and PCs are traditional computing techniques that are based on classical physics. But quantum computing will be based on quantum physics which will solve complex problems by using the principles based on superposition and entanglement.
Applications: Quantum Computing in Action and Future Frontier:
Quantum Computing is not just a concept based on theory it is concept that is rapidly transforming many industries across the globe and in future we can predict it to take over all the industrial technologies which exists and are in use.
Here are some practical applications of quantum computing and some which we will see in coming future.
Quantum Computing in Cryptography:
Quantum computing brings both opportunities and challenges in the field of cryptography. Quantum cryptography is a method which uses naturally occurring properties of quantum mechanics to secure and transmit data in way that it cannot be hacked (S.Gills, 2022). Opportunities include QKD Quantum Key Distribution uses unique properties of mechanical systems to generate and distribute cryptography keying material. It detects encryption in between communication and enable secure data transfer. And also have Quantum-resistant cryptography which helped in developing new encryption algorithms which are being developed to be secure from attacks within quantum computing and solve large number of complex problems.
Accelerating Drug Discovery:
The use of quantum technology will heavily emphasized the use of it in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries as it speeded up the process of drug discovery. Using QC researchers can design new drugs which will help to cure a disease with precision as quantum computing helps in simulating molecular interaction at an atomic level which enables to predict the reaction and safety of drug molecules (Ju, 2023).In 10-15 years of exploring this field quantum computers could achieve somehow some part in developing drugs leading towards more effective treatments.
Enhancing the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:
Quantum computing holds great potential to enhance the capabilities of AI by using machine learning algorithms which will enable in creation of more powerful AI models to solve complex issues. Because, in classical computing there exists some physical limitations such as the use of microchips has somehow stopped and is not being used in the way it was, which leads to the death of Moore’s Law and classical computers not acting ideally for complex problems. (Paulson, 2024)
Solving Global Challenges: Quantum-Driven Sustainability:
Transforming material discovery by enabling rapid simulation quantum computing can help accelerate the development of sustainable materials that are even eco-friendly. Recent study showed quantum computing some applications may shortly unlock such as quantum sensing space which will lead to cover SDG3 and SDG7 leading towards usage in healthcare and affordable energy use.The power of quantum resides on its full capability to advance in the area of every SDG(Sustainability Development Goals). The ecological footprint of quantum computing resilience throughout its entire lifecycle is essential for minimizing resource usage. Uniquely QC holds significance in reducing environmental burdens in different industries including fertilizer production. It will enable in clean energy optimization and environmental monitoring in a better way.
The Quantum Internet:
A new frontier of communication-powered by the concept of entanglement and quantum key distribution will be used in the quantum internet. This field is still under research and some studies say it will not be known for sometime but it will leap towards groundbreaking evolution of the internet. The quantum internet will evolve into the ultra-advanced version of the internet used today. By harnessing the use of physics, it will enable a more secure and safe space for data and communication, which will be almost impossible to be hacked. The regular internet uses fibre optic cables and encodes encryption in 0s and 1s in quantum internet it will use qubits which can exist at the same time due to superposition and QKD which will help in protecting sensitive information from being hacked. The main leading source will be unbreakable security and a global quantum network.
Conclusion:
The future of quantum computing will change the game of every existing industry completely but gradually. Resulting in allowing companies to optimize their investment strategies, encryption, or discovery of new products such as in healthcare. As exploration of it and research of making it a groundbreaking technology is still under-process, and is filled with vast and transformative potential. It will explore solution to those challenges which were once thought as impossible to be solved. It will use qubits as it main key to solve complex problems that are beyond the capability of classical systems to solve using normal bits. The application of this technology will enlarge the use of its technology in different fields including healthcare, AI, sustainability and space exploration with many more industrial use. However, as with every new field or technology is introduced to the world at large scale there are some challenges which comes with it for quantum computing it can be cost and scalability with ethical concerns to ultimately evolve and solve all the challenges. As we stand on the threshold of bringing quantum computing fully into existence the collaborative approach of all the researchers, industries, and government is fully needed in shaping the better future where quantum computing unlock new technological frontiers.
References:
- Ju, S. (2023, October 20). Imperial News. Retrieved from https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/248638/towards-using-quantum-computing-speed-drug/
- Neven, H. (2024, December 09). Meet Willow, our state-of-the-art quantum chip. Retrieved from Google: https://blog.google/technology/research/google-willow-quantum-chip/
- Paulson, J. (2024, March 11). Why Quantum Computing Is Redefining Space Exploration. Retrieved from Medium: https://medium.com/@cybertec/why-quantum-computing-is-redefining-space-exploration-c92d6b57609d
- S.Gills, A. (2022, January). TechTarget. Retrieved from https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/quantumcryptography#:~:text=Quantum%20cryptography%20is%20a%20method,secret%20key%20can%20decrypt%20it
- Smalley, I. (2024, August 05). What is Quantum computing? Retrieved from IBM: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/quantum-computing
Author: Dr. Waleed Alomoush
Co-Author: Roshaan Fatima Abbas