It’s just over the horizon, a new age of computing.

Though the technological innovation of the last decade is astounding, the introduction of Quantum Computers can completely change the playing field.

What makes Quantum Computers so special?

Modern processors relay information as bits, which can exist in two states; 1 or 0. It can either be one of the other, and it uses sequences of these bits to process our requests. The limitations of modern processors is that in order to solve a problem, it has to look for solutions one possibility at a time.

Quantum computers use qubits, which serves a similar purpose as regular bits, but instead of being either a 1 or a 0, it can be both, and neither at the same time, this is called superposition in quantum physics. Combined with quantum entanglement, qubits can interact with one another, enhancing its accuracy and processing power tenfold.

What makes it different from modern processors?

One analogy is the maze. Picture the processor in the center of a maze, and there are multiple paths around the processor. Only one path leads to the solution, and the processor doesn’t know which one is the right path. Modern processors explore one path at a time, tracing the path until it reaches a dead-end, and then try again and again with different paths until it reaches a solution. Now, this process is done remarkably quickly, particularly with today’s advanced processors, but it is still limited to doing one thing at a time. So the more complicated the problem, the longer it will take.

Quantum processors, on the other hand, have a different approach to solving problems. Using the maze analogy, the quantum processor is in the middle of a confusing maze, with multiple paths it can take. Using quantum mechanics, the processor can search the solution through all of the logical paths simultaneously, instead of one at a time, like today’s processors. This allows quantum computers to find solutions to problems much, much faster than modern processors.

This makes quantum processors millions and millions of times more powerful than modern processors.

What is the purpose of Quantum Computers?

Quantum Computers aren’t meant to take the place of modern computers. Instead, it will focus on problems and calculations that today’s computer couldn’t dream of solving.

This can open the doors to a new age in technology, revolutionize scientific advancement, and propel us into the future.

What is Quantum Supremacy?

Quantum Supremacy is a point where quantum computers can do calculations that even the most powerful supercomputer can’t solve. This requires a certain amount of qubits, 50 to be exact. This is because we have to make sure that the Quantum processor doesn’t make any errors.

A lot of companies are striving to develop such a machine, with Google planning to build a 49-qubit computer, and other major tech companies racing to engineer their own. It may take a few years, but when the day finally comes, our world will become a whole lot more interesting.