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"Quantum" ComputationDirectron Scholarship 2008 Essay No. 01by Aziz Alibasic Current School: Senior at Brandon High School in Brandon, Florida Of the most influential creations, the computer, tops every list. It has changed every aspect of human life, form the way we communicate to how business store information, and even how we spend our free time. Computers make life easier, faster, and access to information is more readily available. Today laptops and handheld computer are leading the way to future progress and are exponentially smaller as well as more powerful than their predecessors. Yet computers continue to be integrated into the core of the human experience. Modern day life without these machines is unimaginable and many things would not be possible. With this said, what will the next creation be, which device will be the next computer? Many, like my self, prophesize the quantum computer will be this next leap. Moore's Law illustrates a phenomenon stating that with every passing two year interval computer processors will, roughly, double in power. Moore recognized another trend however, noting that circuits were decreasing in size as well. With this Moore realized that there had to be a limit to this growth. He goes further, stating that eventually computer circuits will become atomic in size, resisting and allowing electrons to escape the grip of the circuit. Since Moore's discovery many have wondered what will happen when this day is upon us. Will the computer industry become a rust belt, begin to fail, even go into extinction? One solution which holds great potential is manipulating atoms for computational purposes. Creating the infinitively powerful "Quantum Computer." What exactly is a Quantum computer? Well a quantum computer is a device which harnesses the power of atoms in order to perform computational tasks. At the atomic level there is no binary (1's and 0's), but instead quantum mechanics take hold creating a world where the atom, or qubits, (Quantum Bits) performing computational tasks can be in a state of 1,0, and a super position of the two. This superposition is key, making tasks more efficient and infinitively faster. With the resources of a current classical computer factoring a 1000 digit number would take longer than the estimated life of the universe. Juxtaposed to a quantum computer which could perform this same task in a matter of minutes. Which would you prefer? Ok, so maybe you are still doubtful on what tasks a quantum computer has the ability to perform, but CIA and other intelligence agencies have taken a major interest. With the possibility of large number factorization the CIA would hold the key to breaking any encryption code. The world would be at a stand still. Online banking, online shopping, practically any bit of encrypted information would no longer be safe, as enormous encryption codes could be broken and solved for in a matter minutes, even seconds. Quantum computer however, do not just stop at break codes they hold the power to run simulations exponentially faster than their predecessor, the classical computer. These simulations range from exploring the quantum world to running chemical reaction simulations, and even mapping the human brain. Best stated by Seth Lloyd, "a quantum computer is to a computer what a laser is to a light bulb. These machines of principals yet to be understood retain the ability to unlock knowledge long held in numbers which we could not "crunch." The field of quantum computing and information processing has made multiple promising leaps forward since its origin, including the conception of two and even three qubit quantum computers proficient in solving some simple arithmetic, data sorting and retrieval. Although, a few formidably large enemies still linger, averting the worlds efforts of just creating one, or more accurately, building a quantum computer that is on par and holds the ability to rival today's modern computer. These challenges include factors such as: error correction, decoherence, hardware creation and architecture difficulties, these being probably the largest road block for scientists. The question arises of exactly which errors need correction. Well when examined closely, quantum computers are difficult to read, or realizing the state in which the atoms are in, 1, 0 or the superposition of the two. The simple act of examining these atoms changes their properties, further complicating this task. Scientist notice decoherence occur; as atoms being use to do calculations inevitably begin to interact with their environment and error is created. Then a new task for scientist to tackle was created, drowning out the errors form the results. This major road block is being challenged one step and one discovery at a time. Next, the practical problem for engineers deigning the architecture for the circuits of these quantum computers stands in the way of progress. There is no manual or guide book which can be followed to create one of these machines, new hardware must be created from scratch. Some scientists often wonder if our current or "modern" technology is too primitive, as these quantum computers require sophisticated techniques and implementation. Before the dream of the quantum computer can be realized a few enemies stand in the way of progress. Our technology must first meet the requirements set by these "machines." Not to worry, scientist are hard at work, these devices will be evolved from their current state of containing only 2 to 3 qubits, and in the coming years the conception of the 1000 qubit quantum computers will be attained. With this achievement the human civilization will finally obtain the resources to conquer problems which seemed impossible, even unsolvable, as these device hold the ability to discharge secrets long held stored in numbers which human kind has not had to ability to comprehend. These devices will rival and out rank the modern day computer in greatness as well as immorality. Their conception will live on; forever know as the most influential device ever created. References: | Directron.com College Scholarship | |
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