Zhang Qingrui, director of the IBM Quantum Computer Center at National Taiwan University, said that IBM hopes to have the number of qubits exceed tens of millions within 15 years. By then, it will take traditional computers "ten thousand years" to calculate linear qubits. Quantum computers can solve algebraic problems in minutes. Therefore, the current cryptography system must be adjusted to immediately enter the "anti-quantum" era.
Why is a "quantum computer" as omnipotent as a giant beast? Is it an enhanced version of a "supercomputer", made up of more bits? No, traditional computers and quantum computers are two completely different forms of data processing. The internal structure of the IBM quantum computer is made up of coaxial wires. (flickr IBM Q,)? Mysterious quantum behavior that even Einstein cannot accept?
Traditional computers process data in the form of bits, and each bit will be in two states Switching, these two states are labeled 0 and 1; quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) to do it, which can be a superposition state of linear combinations of 0 and 1. ?
When the qubit is in a superposition, Director Zhang Qingrui said that if the position of the bit is marked as a sphere, and the south and north pole positions represent 0 and 1 respectively, the bits of traditional computers can only Switching between the two poles, but if the qubits are superimposed, they can be anywhere on the two-dimensional sphere, not limited to the north and south poles. ?
The bit difference between traditional computers and quantum computers. (Illustration by Shen Peiling)?
The specific performance of quantum computers can be imagined using the quantum game game of "flip a coin". There is a coin in a black box. You and the computer take turns flipping the coin in the black box. You can choose to flip it or not. Neither you nor the computer will know what each other has done to the coin. After several rounds, if the box is opened with heads up, you win, otherwise the computer wins.
Zhang Qingrui said that if it is a classical game, the winning rate of you and the classical computer is half and half, because classical behavior can only be flipped or not, and bits can only be presented in two ways: 0 and 1; but A quantum computer is different. It may not directly turn heads or tails in a black box, but may "turn" the coin. This quantum rotation cannot be detected by people who do not understand quantum strategy. Finally, as soon as you open the lid and observe, the coin will turn tails up, and the quantum computer has a 100% winning rate.
This sounds incredible, right? Even Einstein found it difficult to accept quantum mechanics. He once said: "Is the moon only there when you are looking at it?" This strange question points out the mysterious nature of "quantum behavioral processes that cannot be observed." No one knows what the quantum computer did to the coin in the black box, and where the quantum is. As soon as we observe it, quantum superposition and entanglement will disappear, and the quantum will return to classical particle behavior.
"To understand this phenomenon, I'm afraid it will take more than ten years of studying physics. But now that quantum computers have been manufactured, you might as well accept it and use it!" Zhang Qingrui said with a smile. ? Zhang Qingrui, director of the IBM Quantum Computer Center at National Taiwan University, visited IBM and took photos with quantum computers. (Provided by Zhang Qingrui)? Quantum entanglement brings double exponential growth in computing power
The mysterious power of quantum is not only that. When particles are in a quantum state, they will have entangled characteristics, also known as "quantum entanglement" entanglement). Just like the literal meaning, "entanglement" refers to several quantum particles tied together to form a unified body of destiny. Zhang Qingrui mentioned that this is "you have me in the mud, and I have you in the mud." The states of each other will be connected. It can move, power can also be multiplied, and at the same time handle calculations that are different from classical computers.
Everyone has heard of "Moore's law", which refers to the fact that the number of transistors contained in integrated circuits will double every two years. This roughly indicates that computer computing power will increase. Exponential growth, that is, 2?, 2?, 2?.
However, Zhang Qingrui said that the entanglement characteristics will allow the computing power of quantum computers to grow at a "double exponential rate", that is, 22?, 22?, 22?, which was proposed by Hartmut Neven, director of the Google Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory this year, also known as "Neven Law" [Note 1].
Last year, Summit, the world’s fastest supercomputer, was able to perform 20 billion (2*1018) floating-point operations per second, and its non-volatile memory (NVRAM) reached 800GB (gigabyte, 1 billion bits). tuple) [Note 2]. However, Zhang Qingrui mentioned that if quantum entanglement can be controlled and the calculation is debugged, a quantum computer can achieve the computing power of "terabit" (1012) with about 40 logical qubits. Currently, it is generally It is believed that a logical qubit with debugging function may require about one thousand to ten thousand physical qubits.
"This is difficult to do!" Zhang Qingduan said that currently IBM has opened 5 qubits for public use, and only two qubits are entangled. National Taiwan University and IBM can use 20 qubits, which is also Not all bits entangled. In October this year, IBM's new 53-qubit machine will be launched soon, and it is expected that 16 qubits can be directly entangled [Note 3]. ? The upper left of the picture is the IBM 20qbits system, and the lower picture is the schematic diagram of the 50qbits system. It can be found that the qubits are not all interconnected with each other. The upper right of the picture is the package photo of the quantum processor. (flickr IBM Q)
Zhang Qingduan further explained that quantum entanglement is difficult because it is difficult for particles to reach the quantum state. Even if it reaches the quantum state, it is not easy to control it for a long time. For example, IBM uses superconducting materials Qubits are manufactured and controlled with microwaves. However, superconductors must operate in a harsh environment close to absolute zero (-273.15°C). There are also many problems to be overcome, such as the short lifetime of coherent states. Currently, scientists from various countries are still looking for different solutions. The way to achieve breakthroughs is, of course, only if *** also spend money to support will there be breakthroughs. In order to maintain the low temperature of the superconductor, a dilution freezer will be installed under the quantum computer. (flickr IBM Q Credit: Graham Carlow)? Applications of quantum computers: quantum communications, quantum finance?
The current commercial operation of quantum computers in the world is the IBM quantum computer 53-bit, last year (2018) Google A 72-bit quantum processor was announced, but not available to the general public. Zhang Qingrui said that a quantum computer needs at least 500 bits to gradually show its power and enter the stage of quantum advantage. Although quantum computers are still some way off from commercial use, quantum technology is already flourishing in quantum communications and software applications! ? IBM Quantum Computer Laboratory, computers are protected in white covers. (flickr IBM Q)
Zhang Qingrui mentioned that between entangled quanta, when the state of one party changes, the state of the other party will also change accordingly. Therefore, developing a quantum network system can increase the efficiency of message transmission, because it is known that one party content, you can learn the other party’s information. Furthermore, because of the unmeasurable nature of quantum, if quantum is used as the secret key, any attempt to obtain the password will cause the quantum state to change, thus ensuring that communications cannot be eavesdropped.
Software development and application are the main focus of the "National Taiwan University IBM Quantum Computer Center". Zhang Qingrui mentioned that this year, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Quantum Computer Center was established in cooperation with IBM to provide the academic community in Taiwan with access to IBM Q System service platform.
IBM currently provides 20 qubits for use by academic members in Taiwan, China. There are two main types of qubits. One is to deal with calculation problems in basic physics and chemistry; the other is to solve specific problems. Find the best solution, for example: a truck has to travel to 100 locations to deliver goods, how to deliver goods most efficiently; how to manage incoming and outgoing goods in a factory most efficiently, the best financial investment and risk control, etc.
"Today, 70% of quantum computer-related startups only research and develop quantum computer solutions for one specific problem.
"Zhang Qingrui said that quantum computers are most suitable for solving complex and big data problems. Quantum artificial intelligence, quantum finance and blockchain are all very popular topics.
According to IBM report estimates, they expect to be able to solve complex and big data problems in 15 years. Later, we can enter the era of tens of millions of qubits, that is, there will be more than 1,000 debugged logical qubits. By then, if quantum computers are not used, they will lose their competitiveness. Therefore, even if the hardware is not yet in place, new companies will have to seize the opportunity and apply for patents.
"I often joke with college students now that you and your next generation should not be able to get rid of quantum computers! You don't have to learn it if you are over fifty, but you must start immediately if you are under 20." Zhang Qingrui said frankly In the past two years, everyone has been shocked that the era of quantum computers is coming, but most of them do not pay attention to it. Just like when personal computers first appeared in 1968, they did not know that there would be a world where people have multiple mobile phones. IBM 5-bit quantum chip (flickr IBMQ). ? You can use a quantum computer at home! The first step to keep up with cutting-edge technology is to learn to write quantum computer programs
IBM launched the IBM Q5 five-bit quantum computer in 2016 for the public to experience quantum computers online. You can use IBM at home to Register an account on Q Experience and use it online in the cloud!
So far, there are about 180,000 users around the world doing more than 10 million quantum computer simulation calculations on IBM quantum computers and publishing more than 150 quantum computer-related articles. There are currently about 50 users in Taiwan, China [ Note 4]. However, it currently cannot be as friendly as today's computers. There are various softwares that can help you answer questions directly. You have to write your own program to tell it what the problem is and how to solve it.
However, it is not too difficult to learn the programming language of quantum computers, so many smart high school students around the world are currently using it. Zhang Qingrui said that you just need to know a little bit of physics and mathematics, and have a foundation in the Python programming language. You can learn it by adding some quantum concepts such as Hadamard gate (H gate) into the program and working hard.
The IBM Quantum Computer Center at National Taiwan University offers introductory courses on quantum computers from time to time. There are also elective courses on campus at National Taiwan University, and it tours to various universities in Taiwan every month to hold quantum computer courses. We are currently preparing to train high school teachers, hoping to promote the application of quantum computing in high schools and cultivate future talents. At the end of September, the Ministry of Science and Technology also co-organized the "Quantum Computer Navigation" with the Quantum Computer Center. The content includes: quantum computers and their calculation principles, quantum programming teaching, and the initial use of quantum logic gates. You can go to the IBM Quantum Computer Center of National Taiwan University to inquire about related activities.
If you think learning to program is too scary, you might as well download the “Hello Quantum” mobile game launched by IBM! Gradually understand the operating rules of quantum computers through problem-solving. After you conquer it, you may fall in love with it. ? National Taiwan University IBM Quantum Computer Center (provided by National Taiwan University IBM Quantum Computer Center) ? Related tags: IBM bit superposition state supercomputer computing force quantum bit quantum mechanics quantum entanglement quantum computer popular tags: yahoo neonworm pi radar carnation article difficulty level is just right All discussions 4