Apr
2008
Binary Quantum Qubits
A clear vision of ‘Quantum Computers’ could be better understood by comparison from the present day computers. It may be your desktop also. All such machines including even the supercomputers of today are based on the binary digits system. All these computers store information as strings of binary numbers. In fact there are only two digits ‘0′ and ‘1′ known as ‘bits’ that are used for such purposes.
All types of information including words, numbers, sounds, pictures, movies are cleverly coded in the form of these two binary digits, the bits. Strings of these binary digits are arranged and processed by adding, subtracting, and comparing the number chains. Every bit of such type of coded information can easily be stored in a tiny box, the capacitor, a dab of electric charge or in a miniscule fragment of magnetic film. Storage of information can be on temporary or permanent basis. It can be well understood as if there is some information then it means ‘1′ and if the box is empty then it will be represented as ‘0′.
Quantum computer would also be doing almost the same representation with numbers and binary digits. The only difference would be with the size of bits. Here everything would be in terms of ‘Nano-sized particles’. These nano-sized particles would be representing a unit like an atom and would also represent a storage box. Here the bits would never remain as usual bits. These will be denoted as the “quantum bits” or the “qubits”. An atom spinning in one way would represent “1″ and if it spins the other way it will be represented as “0″.
Quantum Superposition
In nano-terms a qubit could represent both “0″ and “1″ at the same time. It is one of the major differentiations between quantum computers and present day computer systems. This unusual superimposition of binary digits is known as the “quantum superposition”. Here the probability of occurring a binary digit as “0″or”1″ would be equal for both depending upon the nature of information and the type of superposition. Meaning thereby the probability of holding a “1″ or “0″ is equal for a bit. One would be required to investigate in depth in order to find out the exact value the bit holds. Any investigation in to this type of determination will surely disturb the string arrangements of a computer and the machine would stop computing any further.
Quantum Physics, an Obvious Tool
This indicates a problem as well as a solution at the same time. Quantum physics has to answer for a solution for this stoppage of functioning as the investigation should not stop the machine. But at the same time if this same mechanism is converted intelligently then it would be almost impossible for anyone to crack or break the codes as encryption would be intact. This will help at the best to maintain almost unbreakable security and safety firewalls making every type of communication and online transaction completely confidential in future. Quantum computers would certainly address the present day problem more intelligently.
Qubit, the Mega-Warehouse
Encryption and safety of data could be more advantageously applied with the help of “quantum superposition” concept. This type of superposition would require extremely large numbers to represent any information for describing even a very small number of qubits. This seems to be more stable model. Based on the doubling of the rate of information every after certain time period according to the Moor’s law, for every qubit added to this assembly would double up for that particular qubit. For instance, only 100 qubits more than two billion numbers would be required to describe and represent the collective content. In other words, just 100 qubits would be more than sufficient to store huge loads of information and this will be exponentially higher than what the present day computers memory can hold on. Hence the quantum computers would be future memory mega-warehouses when it comes to storage.
At a Lightening Speed
The advantages of quantum computers are not just limited to the memory and storage issues .It will change the present day programming methods thoroughly. Today a computer program is required to operate in accordance to the stored information in a pre-defined sequence, one bit at a time. Just imagine when this sequence is synchronized with one bit at a time and we are able to perform billions of calculations per second with present day computers and supercomputers then what would the scenario when we will be using the quantum computers.
Parallel Processing, Just Think Of It
A quantum computer can easily process huge data and information using all the strings of qubits simultaneously and not just one bit at a time. It is also known as the “parallel processing”. The results are even beyond imagination this way. This can be imagined in a different way. Imagine that there are millions of desktop types of computers are working on the same problem. All these computers are working side by side or linked with a single network across the world and even all these machines are working with just a single processor! This is what the quantum computers have potential for.
Big Number Factorization: Not an Imagination Anymore
Compared to the present day supercomputers the quantum computers would benefit us with enormous speed of processing information. It becomes very clear that even the fastest and most advanced types of supercomputers of today would need years or decades to crack and break in to coding of a simple quantum computer. The “big number factorization” presents unimaginable possibilities.
The quantum computers era is about to begin shortly and we all will be experiencing an initial feel of this new computing while the days are not far now. Machines of coming times would also be different than to what we use currently. Quantum computers and its related technology will certainly change the way we compute today.
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