Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica
Semester: August-December 2023
Subject: Physics IV
Topic: PIA “Quantum Computers”
Alumno: Jesús Alejandro Gracia Arzola
Matrícula: 2010454
Carrera: IMA
Grupo: 004 Hora: V6
Revisado por: Dr. Carlos Esteban Chávez Pech
5 de Diciembre del 2023, Ciudad Universitaria, San
Nicolás de los Garza
Table of Contents
● INTRODUCTION
● HOW MANY QUANTUM COMPUTERS ARE IN THE WORLD?
● WHAT IS A q-BITE?
● HOW MUCH q-BITES DOES THE MOST ADVANCED COMPUTER HAS?
● IN WHICH ASPECTS ARE BETTER THE QUANTUM COMPUTERS THAN THE
DIGITAL ONES?
● DIGITAL COMPUTERS ARE GOING TO DISAPPEAR?
● WHAT IS THE DANGER OF DOING ACTUAL DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS WITH
QUANTUM COMPUTERS?
● CONCLUSION
● REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
Quantum computers represent a new paradigm in computing that harnesses the principles of quantum
mechanics to perform calculations. While classical computers use bits as the basic units of
information, which can exist in states of 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits.
The unique properties of qubits, such as superposition and entanglement, enable quantum computers
to process information in ways that classical computers cannot.
Here are some key concepts related to quantum computers:
● Qubits and Superposition: Unlike classical bits, which can be either 0 or 1, qubits can exist in
multiple states simultaneously. This property is known as superposition. It allows quantum
computers to process a vast number of possibilities at the same time.
● Entanglement: Qubits can be entangled, meaning the state of one qubit is directly linked to the
state of another, regardless of the physical distance between them. Changes to one qubit will
instantaneously affect the other, enabling faster and more efficient information processing.
● Quantum Gates: Quantum computers use quantum gates to perform operations on qubits.
These operations manipulate the quantum states of the qubits and form the basis for quantum
algorithms. Quantum gates are analogous to classical logic gates but operate on the principles
of quantum mechanics.
● Quantum Parallelism: Quantum computers can leverage quantum parallelism to explore
multiple solutions to a problem simultaneously. This property can lead to a significant
speedup in certain types of computations, offering advantages over classical computers for
specific applications.
● Quantum Algorithms: Algorithms designed for quantum computers take advantage of the
unique properties of qubits to solve problems more efficiently than classical algorithms.
Shor's algorithm for factoring large numbers and Grover's algorithm for searching unsorted
databases are notable examples.
● Quantum Error Correction: Quantum computers are susceptible to errors due to factors like
decoherence and environmental interference. Quantum error correction techniques are being
developed to address these issues and maintain the integrity of quantum computations.
● It's important to note that quantum computers are still in the early stages of development, and
building practical, scalable quantum processors is a significant challenge. Researchers and
companies worldwide are actively working on advancing quantum computing technology, and
while progress has been made, there are still technical hurdles to overcome before quantum
computers can perform complex tasks at a scale surpassing classical computers.
HOW MANY QUANTUM COMPUTERS ARE IN THE WORLD?
According to estimates, there are currently around 150 to 200 quantum computers worldwide.
However, it is important to note that these numbers include both small-scale, experimental devices
and more powerful, commercially viable machines.
WHAT IS A q-BITE?
A qubit (or quantum bit) is the quantum mechanical analogue of a classical bit. In classical computing
the information is encoded in bits, where each bit can have the value zero or one. In quantum
computing the information is encoded in qubits.
A qubit is a two-level quantum system where the two basis qubit states are usually written as ∣0⟩ and
∣1⟩. A qubit can be in state ∣0⟩, ∣1⟩ or (unlike a classical bit) in a linear combination of both states.
The name of this phenomenon is superposition.
A general -pure- qubit state is expressed as:
where α and β are the complex probability amplitudes for each basis state. Note that the choice of
basis states is arbitrary, each set of orthogonal states can be used as basis states.
Below it is shown that a general pure qubit state is described by two real numbers, while above we
stated that a generic qubit state is described by two complex parameters (probability amplitudes).
This apparent contradiction is solved by the following: First of all, the sum of the probabilities of
measuring any of the states should always add to 1. This condition constraints the description already
to three real parameters.
Another aspect from quantum mechanics is that scaling of a qubit state by a scaling vector does not
change the measurable properties (observables) of a quantum state.
This means that all probability amplitudes can always be scaled by an arbitrary (real) factor without
changing any of the observable properties of the system. This is also known as scaling by a global
phase factor.
This condition constraints the system to a state which can be defined by two real parameters.
Single-qubit computational basis states
The two orthogonal z-basis states of a qubit are defined as:
● ∣0⟩
● ∣1⟩
When we talk about the qubit basis states we implicitly refer to the z-basis states as the computational
basis states.
The two orthogonal x-basis states are:
The two orthogonal y-basis states are:
The basis states are located at opposite points on the Bloch sphere. Note that a pure qubit state can be
expressed as a point on the surface of the Bloch sphere and therefore can be described by two angles.
In general, the polar angle θ (theta) (angle with respect to positive z-axis), and azimuthal angle φ (phi)
(counter-clock wise angle of rotation in the xy-plane from the positive x-axis) are used in quantum
physics.
HOW MUCH q-BITES DOES THE MOST ADVANCED COMPUTER HAS?
(Wilkins, 2023)
The world’s first quantum computer to exceed 1000 qubits has more than double that of the previous
record holder, IBM’s Osprey machine, which has 433 qubits. Though having more qubits doesn’t
necessarily mean better performance, large numbers of them will be needed for future error-free
quantum computers that are useful, unlike today’s noise-filled research machines.
The largest quantum computers, such as those from IBM and Google, use superconducting wires
cooled to extremely low temperatures for their quantum bits, or qubits. But the record-breaking
machine from California-based start-up Atom Computing, which has 1180 qubits, uses neutral atoms
trapped by lasers in a 2-dimensional grid.
One advantage of this design is that it is easy to scale up the system and add many more qubits into
the grid, says Rob Hays, CEO of Atom Computing. Any useful quantum computer in the future that is
free of errors, a feature called fault tolerance, will need at least tens of thousands of dedicated
error-correcting qubits working alongside the programmable qubits, he says.
Neutral atom qubits lend themselves better to quantum entanglement, a strange quantum effect where
qubits are linked so that measuring a property of one qubit reveals that of the other.
They are also more stable, with qubits in Atom Computing’s machine keeping their quantum state
from collapsing – a feature called fault tolerance, which is essential for error correction – for almost a
minute. IBM’s Osprey, for example, has coherence times of around 70 to 80 microseconds.
These long coherence times are due to the ytterbium atoms that Hays and his team use as qubits. Most
neutral atom machines use an atom’s electron as the quantum element with which to do computing,
but this can be easily affected by the powerful lasers used to hold it in place.
With ytterbium, a quantum property of the atom’s nucleus called spin can be used, which is much less
sensitive to disturbances. “The nucleus just doesn’t interact with the outside environment as strongly
as the electron does,” says Ben Bloom at Atom Computing.
IN WHICH ASPECTS ARE BETTER THE QUANTUM COMPUTERS THAN THE DIGITAL
ONES?
Quantum computers have the potential to outperform classical digital computers in certain specific
tasks. Here are some aspects in which quantum computers may have an advantage over classical
computers:
● Factorization: Shor's algorithm, a quantum algorithm, has the potential to factor large
numbers exponentially faster than the best-known classical algorithms. This could have
implications for breaking widely used encryption schemes in classical computers.
● Database Search: Grover's algorithm is a quantum algorithm that allows for a quadratic
speedup in searching an unsorted database compared to the best-known classical algorithms.
This can have implications for solving certain search problems more efficiently.
● Parallelism: Quantum computers can process multiple possibilities simultaneously due to the
principles of superposition, offering a form of parallelism that classical computers don't have.
This can lead to a significant speedup in solving certain types of problems.
● Quantum Simulation: Quantum computers are well-suited for simulating quantum systems.
Simulating the behavior of quantum systems with classical computers becomes increasingly
challenging as the size of the system grows, but quantum computers can potentially provide
more accurate simulations in less time.
● Optimization Problems: Quantum computers may offer advantages in solving optimization
problems, such as finding the best solution among a large set of possibilities. This is relevant
in fields like finance, logistics, and materials science.
It's important to note that while quantum computers have the potential for these advantages, they are
still in the early stages of development, and several challenges need to be addressed, such as error
correction, improving qubit stability, and scalability.
Quantum computers are not expected to replace classical computers for general-purpose computing
but are likely to complement them for specific tasks.
For many everyday computing tasks, classical computers remain highly effective, and quantum
computers are still in the process of being developed into practical and scalable technologies.
The true impact of quantum computers will become more apparent as the technology matures and
researchers overcome current challenges.
DIGITAL COMPUTERS ARE GOING TO DISAPPEAR?
Digital computers are based on classical physics and use binary codes to represent information.
Quantum computers, on the other hand, are based on quantum mechanics and use qubits to represent
information.
Quantum computers can perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers, but they
are also more sensitive to noise and errors. However, it is unlikely that digital computers will
disappear due to quantum computers.
Quantum computers are still in the development stage and are not yet widely available. Moreover,
digital computers are well-established and widely used in many applications.
WHAT IS THE DANGER OF DOING ACTUAL DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS WITH
QUANTUM COMPUTERS?
Quantum computers are still in the development stage and are not yet widely available. However, it is
important to note that quantum computers can pose a threat to digital transactions. Quantum
computers can break certain encryption algorithms that are used to secure digital transactions.
This could potentially allow attackers to steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers,
passwords, and other personal data. It is important to note that quantum computers are not yet
powerful enough to break all encryption algorithms, and researchers are working on developing new
encryption algorithms that are resistant to quantum attacks. In the meantime, it is important to use
strong encryption algorithms and to keep software and hardware up-to-date with the latest security
patches.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, quantum computers represent a revolutionary approach to computing, leveraging the
principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations in ways that classical computers cannot. The
key features of quantum computers include the use of qubits, which can exist in multiple states
simultaneously due to superposition, and entanglement, where the state of one qubit is correlated with
the state of another.
Quantum computers have the potential to outperform classical computers in specific tasks, such as
factoring large numbers, searching unsorted databases, and simulating quantum systems. However,
practical and scalable quantum computers are still in the early stages of development, facing
challenges related to error correction, qubit stability, and scalability.
While quantum computers are not expected to replace classical computers for general-purpose
computing, they hold promise for solving certain complex problems more efficiently. The impact of
quantum computers on various fields, including cryptography, optimization, and simulation, is an area
of active research and exploration.
As quantum computing technology advances, there is a need for the development of post-quantum
cryptography to ensure the security of digital transactions and communication in the future. Quantum
computers and classical computers are likely to coexist, with quantum computers playing a
complementary role for specific applications.
In summary, quantum computing is an exciting and evolving field that holds great potential for
transformative breakthroughs, but it's practical impact will depend on overcoming current technical
challenges and achieving the development of stable and scalable quantum processors.
REFERENCES
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https://www.quantum-inspire.com/kbase/what-is-a-qubit/
Wilkins, A. (2023, 2 noviembre). Record-breaking quantum computer has more than 1000 qubits.
New Scientist.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2399246-record-breaking-quantum-computer-has-more-than-10
00-qubits/
GeeksforGeeks. (2023, 6 mayo). Conventional computing vs quantum computing.
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/conventional-computing-vs-quantum-computing/
Ferrie, C. (s. f.). Why are scientists so excited about a recently claimed quantum computing
milestone? The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/why-are-scientists-so-excited-about-a-recently-claimed-quantum-computi
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https://www.makeuseof.com/quantum-computers-vs-super-computers-whats-the-difference/
