Datum 2014
QUANTUM COMPUTERS
A quantum computer
QC (also known as a
quantum supercomputer) is a computation device that
makes direct use of quantum-mechanical phenomena,
such as superposition and entanglement, to perform
operations on data. Quantum computers are different
from digital computers based on transistors. Whereas
uses the language of computers called binary. Binary is a
digital computers require data to be encoded into bi-
base 2 mathematical language because it only consists
nary digits (bits), quantum computation uses quantum
of two digits.
properties to represent data and perform operations on
these data. Quantum computing: A dynamic new fasci-
These are 1s and 0s. This is the fundamental unit of in-
nating field that is being pioneered as you read these
formation or building block called the bit. A bit, in clas-
words. Forget bits, binary and logic gates. Welcome to
sical computers, is either a 1 or 0. In quantum computing
the world of Qubits, Quantum Gates and Quantum cir-
the fundamental unit of information is a qubit (quantum
cuits & algorithms.
bit). Qubits form the basis of quantum computing.
QUBIT CONTROL DEVICES: Qubits are made up of
quantum particles which are: photons, atoms, electrons
and ions. These particles need to be controlled in order
to create a qubit which cages these particles. Control
devices trap these particles and then switch their state.
There are four control devices that can be used to create qubits :
ION TRAPS: Ion traps use magnetic fields to trap ions.
At this moment in time, researchers have managed to
THE NEED FOR QC: The power of computers today
entangle as many as six ions in a single ion trap. As ion
depends upon the number of transistors on a chip. More
trap technology becomes more established, the number
transistors, generally the more powerful the computers.
of ions trapped will grow.
MOOR’S LAW STATES:'The number of transistors on
a microprocessor continues to double every 18 months.'
QUANTUM DOTS: Quantum dots are bits of semi-
This means that by the year 2015 we will find that tran-
Quantum dots are loaded with electrons, and they can
sistors on a chip will become so small that they will
be integrated into electronic devices. The most advanced
be measured on an atomic scale. Quantum computers
prototypes today work only at extremely low tempera-
will be able to perform millions of calculations at the
tures.
conductor material that contain one or a few electrons.
same time, whereas today's conventional computers
only perform one.
SEMICONDUCTOR IMPURITIES: It is difficult to
make a pure computer chip. Some atoms embedded
THE BASIS OF QC: The classical computer (non-
in these chips are commonly found as impurities (or
quantum), like the PC or laptop that sits in front of you,
flaws).Qubits include 'unwanted' electrons of atoms intentionally into the semiconductor materials. The state
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