Nowadays, we hear more and more about quantum physics or even quantum computers. The latter, in particular, is generating a lot of excitement among scientists around the world. But what is a quantum computer and why do some believe it can revolutionize many areas of our lives?
What is a quantum computer?
As you’ve probably guessed, a quantum computer is not like a standard computer. According to the scientific director of the Quantum Institute of the University of Sherbrooke, Alejandro Blais“ A quantum computer is a device with infinitely greater power than current or classical computers. “.
What’s more, a quantum computer would be a machine that defies the imagination by exploiting the properties of matter on the scale of the infinitely small. And to use the words of Alexandre Blais:
“ What quantum physics teaches us is that in the domain of the infinitely small, the laws of logic simply do not apply in our world. This is precisely why it is difficult to understand or explain quantum mechanics with our language. The language that explains quantum mechanics (…) is mathematics “.
Furthermore, the quantum computer is not only of interest to physicists, but has also aroused the interest of large companies such as Google, IBM and Atos. But the question that arises is: Why is there so much interest in quantum computers?
Quantum computer performs calculations at the atomic scale
In fact, a quantum computer performs its calculations at the atomic scale based on the laws of quantum physics. For information, the latter focuses on the behavior of matter and light at the microscopic level. At this point we must explain two essential concepts of quantum physics: Superposition of states and quantum entanglement.
The superposition of states.
This is the counterintuitive ability of a quantum object to exist in several different states simultaneously.
Quantum entanglement
This concept means that two objects can influence each other even if they are at a great distance from each other.
Why does the quantum computer arouse so much enthusiasm?
You should know that the classic computer uses “bits”, which are information stored in binary form, that is, with “0s” and “1s”. On the other hand, a quantum computer works with “qubits” that are made up of a superposition of states between 0 and 1.
Therefore, this computer can process gigantic masses of data beyond imagination. For example, Google claims to have designed a processor that can solve in three minutes an operation that would have taken normal computers 10,000 years.
In any case, the quantum computer could revolutionize all areas that require complex calculations, such as finance and industry. So far, China is the main actor that uses this technology, but the GAFA are not left out and Europe is also beginning to be interested in it.
