Quantum Computing

Quantum Computing is the idea of building a computation device which uses the principles of Quantum Physics to store and transmit information. Initially proposed by Richard Feynman, this concept has evolved drastically due to better experimental techniques and a deeper understanding of quantum theory. Currently, the research focus is on scaling quantum computers by increasing qubits (the analogue of the classical bit) and managing errors in Quantum Systems with error correction codes.

Some of the potential applications of Quantum Computing are:

• Quantum algorithms like Grover's algorithm and quantum annealers are a potential solution to quickly solve complex problems in logistics, finance, and manufacturing
• Quantum computers can simulate molecular and chemical interactions at the quantum level. This can lead to new potential breakthroughs in drugs and material science
• Quantum computing can accelerate certain machine learning algorithms and make them faster than the classical algorithm.
• Quantum simulations can enhance the accuracy of climate models. This contributes to better prediction and mitigation of climate change impacts.

Some of the Challenges to Quantum Technologies are Decoherence issues, environmental disturbances and a lack of a market standard. Quantum Computers rely on the property of superposition to achieve remarkable speeds. This property can sometimes collapse, leading to a state called decoherence. Another issue with practical realisation is environmental disturbances. The Superposition state of qubit is very sensitive to environmental changes and must be isolated properly. Even with current hardware, Quantum devices are still susceptible to outside interference. Another issue with Quantum Computers is a lack of a Market Standard. Currently, various qubit technologies are vying to become the foundation of the first fault-tolerant universal quantum computer. However, there are no standardized criteria for assessing the benefits, challenges, and progress of these technologies, making comparisons difficult.

Currently, the main milestones for Quantum Computing to achieve are:

1. Quantum Advantage: Achieving practical quantum advantage over classical computing, surpassing quantum supremacy.
2. Quantum Software Development: Advancing quantum algorithms and software for practical applications.
3. Commercialization: Democratizing access to quantum computing through cloud services by major companies and startups.
4. Standardization: Establishing industry standards for quantum computing hardware and software to ease adoption and integration.

-Aishwarya