Quantum computing is an ultimate “math enabled physics hack” - in
a physical form. This physical form will provide humanity with computational
capabilities that is exponentially better than today’s compute. Some of this
research gets more press (commercially motivated) than others. Let’s understand
this emerging field.
Basics:
Quantum
equivalent of digital bits is known as qubits. A single qubit can represent a one, a zero. A
pair of qubits can represent 4 states, and three qubits can represent 8
states. In general, a quantum computer with “n” qubits can be in to 2n different
states, simultaneously. This compares to a normal computer that can only be
in one of these 2 states (a one or a zero) at any one time.
This gives us exponential computation possibilities that do not exist in
classical computing platforms (yes, what we have is indeed classic).
Hardware:
IBM Research releases 17
qubits quantum chips (May 2017). Up from 5 last year. Google plans 49-qubits
before the end of 2017. There is a mad (research) rush to pack in qubits.
This race will rapidly enable the compute capabilities. There is a lot of
excitement and is worth tracking.
Platform for Computation:
Current
software and data systems will not be functional in a quantum environment. If you
really understand “simultaneous arbitrary superposition of multiple states” you
would be focused on understanding how to unlock this potential for computation.
Databases, data transfer, computation, security architecture, information flow
are all yet to be defined. Quantum computing will need its own version of
operating systems, data base management systems, computational logics etc.
Edgility Labs:
All this is hype, until you can make a viable solution, product or
application that can be applied to adding value or solving problems. @EdgilityLabs,
R&D investment of Edgility, is creating that viable bridge between classic and
quantum computing.
Edgility Lab is investing in:
1.
Bridging the classic and quantum compute platforms. Think
about this as a software layer that bridges classic and quantum computing.
2.
Creating adaptors that bridge today’s applications to quantum
platforms.
3.
Quantum Simulators for validating application case studies
using research hypothesis
Interesting in developing solutions or application? Start brushing up Fast Fourier Transforms.
And…. public-key cryptography such as RSA are only
computationally secure. Meaning: Encryption is just a math problem and it can
be solved (broken in) with quantum computing.
In conclusion, Dr. Lloyd Minor, Dean of the Stanford University
School of Medicine in
an interview with The Wall Street Journal said, “We are now at the point where innovation is at the algorithmic
level”.
Quantum computing is innovation at the atomic level that will enable
innovation at the algorithmic level.
