World News: Quantum Computing Takes a Step Closer to Reality

Sussex University Research Overcomes Key Obstacle for Multi-Tasking Quantum Computers.

For decades, computer scientists have been striving to develop quantum computers that are more powerful than today's supercomputers. And with recent research by a team at Sussex University, the goal of creating multi-tasking quantum computers has come one step closer to reality.

In this blog post, we will delve into the specifics of quantum computing and explore the recent breakthrough by the Sussex University team. We'll also discuss the potential applications of quantum computing, which include designing more efficient jet engines, discovering new drugs, and accurately forecasting weather and climate change.

Understanding Quantum Computing

At the heart of quantum computing are the strange and unique properties of sub-atomic particles, known as quantum particles. These particles can exist in two states at the same time and can be connected in ways that seem impossible under classical physics. By harnessing these properties, quantum computers can perform multiple calculations simultaneously, rather than in a linear fashion like traditional computers.

Developing a reliable and efficient quantum computer has been a challenging task. Major tech companies, including Google, IBM, and Microsoft, have created simple quantum computers. Still, they have yet to overcome several obstacles to develop quantum computers that can perform complex real-world problems that current computers cannot handle.

One significant challenge is transferring quantum information between computer chips without errors. To create multi-tasking quantum computers, the information needs to be transported quickly and reliably, and with a reliability of at least 99.99999%. This is because quantum information degrades easily and can introduce errors into the calculation. Until now, this has been a stumbling block for developing powerful quantum computers.

Sussex University Breakthrough

The Sussex University team has made a breakthrough by developing a system that can transport information from one chip to another with a reliability of 99.999993%. They have achieved this at record speeds, which paves the way for developing powerful quantum computers capable of solving complex real-world problems.

The team connected two chips together and sent record amounts of quantum information at unprecedented speeds and reliability, demonstrating the principle that chips could be joined together to create more powerful quantum computers.

According to Professor Winfried Hensinger, who led the research, "what we have achieved here is the ability to realize extremely powerful quantum computers capable of solving some of the most important problems for industries and society."

The Sussex team's development is a crucial enabling step in quantum computing, according to Professor Michael Cuthbert, the director of the newly established National Quantum Computing Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire. However, he notes that more work is needed to develop practical systems.

In the next step, researchers would need to connect chips, the size of thumbnails, to create a device the size of a dinner plate. The stability and speed demonstrated in the Sussex University experiment showed that it is possible to scale up a quantum computer to carry out practical and useful computations, potentially as large as a football pitch.

Potential Applications of Quantum Computing

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize several industries, including drug discovery, climate modeling, and designing more efficient jet engines. In a world where scientists are working tirelessly to find a cure for Covid-19, the potential of quantum computing to accelerate drug discovery cannot be understated.

Designing Drugs More Efficiently

Quantum computing can simulate the chemical reactions of new drugs more accurately than any supercomputer available today, enabling scientists to discover new drugs faster. Drug discovery typically requires years of research and development, with many candidate drugs discarded before one passes clinical trials.

However, with quantum computing, it would be possible to screen candidate drugs and their reactions with proteins more quickly and accurately. This process could reduce the time needed to develop a new drug, saving billions of dollars.