- Watson defeating the all-time champions on Jeopardy.
- The realization of multiple Quantum technologies after decades of predictions, theoretical musings and research...
Of these two events, the latter is probably more profound as information technologies like those used in Watson will eventually harness foundational capabilities provided by quantum chips and networks to exponentially increase their capacity for semi-intelligent reasoning (in their eventual pursuit of Natural Intelligence). But that's not the only way Quantum Computing or Quantum Information Technology (QIT) as its beginning to be referred to as will change our landscape. This post will provide a brief overview relating why all of this is important and introduce some of the key concepts In later posts we will examine some of those concepts in greater detail.
 |
| Qubits can store and process almost infinitely more values and calculations than classic bits |
Key Concepts (in Quantum Computing or IT):
- Quantum Information Theory - Quantum information theory is the study of the achievable limits of information processing within quantum mechanics. Many different types of information can be accommodated within quantum mechanics, including classical information, coherent quantum information and entanglement.
- Quantum Information - In quantum mechanics, quantum information is physical information that is held in the "state" of a quantum system. The most popular unit of quantum information is the qubit, a two-level quantum system. However, unlike classical digital states (which are discrete), a two-state quantum system can actually be in a superposition of the two states at any given time.
- Superposition - Superposition is the ability of a quantum system to be in multiple states at the same time — that is, something can be “here” and “there,” or “up” and “down” at the same time.
- Qubit - A qubit is a two-state quantum-mechanical system such as the polarization of a single photon: here the two states are vertical polarization and horizontal polarization. In a classical system, a bit would have to be in one state or the other, but quantum mechanics allows the qubit to be in a superposition of both states at the same time, a property which is fundamental to quantum computing.
- Quantum Entanglement - Entanglement is an extremely strong correlation that exists between quantum (or larger) particles — so strong, in fact, that two or more quantum particles can be inextricably linked in perfect unison, even if separated by great distances. The particles remain perfectly correlated even if separated by great distances. The particles are so intrinsically connected, they can be said to “dance” in instantaneous, perfect unison, even when placed at opposite ends of the universe. This seemingly impossible connection inspired Einstein to describe entanglement as “spooky action at a distance.”
- Quantum Decoherence - Decoherence can be viewed as the loss of information from a system into the environment since every system is loosely coupled with the energetic state of its surroundings. Decoherence occurs when a system interacts with its environment in a thermodynamically irreversible way. This prevents different elements in the quantum superposition of the system+environment's wavefunction from interfering with each other.
- Quantum Teleportation - Quantum teleportation, or entanglement-assisted teleportation, is a process by which a qubit (the basic unit of quantum information) can be transmitted exactly from one location to another, without the qubit being transmitted through the intervening space. It is useful for quantum information processing. However, it does not immediately transmit classical information. Quantum teleportation is unrelated to the common term teleportation – it does not transport the system itself, and does not concern rearranging particles to copy the form of an object.
 |
| Quantum memory... |
Quantum Computers:
There's a lot more going on than the items listed above but what's really interesting is how many of these breakthroughs are occurring this year. The implications of the breakthroughs that are occurring right now include the following:
- The field of Cyber Security will have to be totally rethought (or significantly adjusted).
- The nature of high speed communications will make an exponential leap relatively soon (from a variety of related quantum technologies including encryption).
- Quantum computing devices are getting closer to reality. While the technology may not become immediately available to most users, quantum computers may become available much sooner through the Cloud.
One of the biggest controversies associated with the potential of Quantum Computing is the theoretical possibility of transmitting information instantly across entangled bits at faster than light speeds. We will explore that and other related issues in Quantum information technology in coming posts.
Copyright 2012 - Technovation Talks, Semantech Inc
0 comments:
Post a Comment