Quantum Computers :: quantum physics computer

introduction A quantum computer is single which exploits quantum-mechanical interactions in order to function this behavior, found in nature, possesses incredible potential to operate data in ways unattainable by machines today. The harnessing and organization of this power, however, poses no sm on the whole difficulty to those who quest after it. Subsequently, the concept of quantum computing, birthed in the primordial 80s by physicist Richard Feynman, has existed largely in the realm of possibility. Miraculous algorithms which potentially would condense a billionth of the time required for classical computers to perform current mathematical feats, and are implementable only on quantum computers, as such bewilder not yet been realized. A two-bit quantum system, recently developed by a coalition of researchers, constitutes the sole concrete manifestation of the idea. The intent of these pages is provide a rudimentary understanding of the roots and progress of quantu m computing, in order that one may realize the presence and growing significance of this fusion of quantum theory and computation. overview The bit, more or less basic unit of information within a computer, is the build block for all data residing within. An alphanumeric character, for example, usually consumes 1 byte, or 8 bits, of memory. A 2-byte, unsigned integer would be allowed to range from 00000000 00000000 to 11111111 1111111 in binary, or 0-65535 in decimal notation (0-216). The bit of a quantum computer, referred to as qubit (short for quantum bit), might be represented as an atom. Qubits, however, possess an intrinsic and most significant quality they may simultaneously be assigned 0 or 1, the probability of each expressed as a numeral coefficient. This ability allows quantum computers to exist in multiple states at once, called superposition by those knowledgeable of such things. Subsequently, actions may be carried out in all states simultaneously, allowing parallel operations to be performed with one processing unit. A phenomenon dubbed entanglement joins qubits together in a quantum system. Superpositioning opens the way for several fascinating and potentially problematic uses for quantum computers. Factoring numbers of several hundred digits, a simulated military operation needed to crack some encryption schemes currently in use, would gather up billions of course of instructions on the fastest supercomputers. Theoretically, this might take a year on quantum computers.