Quantum Computing: A Game Changer

In this fast moving VUCA world, I am believer of “slow and steady wins the race” theory. This theory I
think will be needed to explain this topic. Before moving too ahead, we first need to understand as
what is Quantum Computing, how is it different from classical computer, how a quantum computer
works… and the main part as what are its industrial application that makes it a valuable technology.

In simple words, it is processing of data using Qubits or Quantum bits where it uses quantum
mechanical properties to solve complex problems which can not be solved classical computers. Qubits
states are expressed using Dirac notation | 0 > and | 1 > where the state can be from 0.0 to 1.0 not
absolutely 0 or 1.

So, what are its properties that Quantum computing uses to solve the complex problems?

The answer to that is quite simple, it is based on 3 properties. The states are based on the spin of the
subatomic particles.

1. Superposition – This means the states are can be added and subtracted from each other
resulting in third state.
2. Interference – The effect of superposition of states is interference. The value of resultant state
from superposition depends on the value states that superposed. The values of states are
determined by the spin of the sub atomic particles as clockwise or anti-clockwise.
3. Entanglement – This property is last and the most important as the sub-atomic particles are
in close proximity so the state of one particle cannot be determined by not knowing the other
particle state. This in turn means the states are interdependent.

Following is the process that is followed by a quantum computer to process data:

1. DC signals are used as inputs

2. These signals are then converted to Microwave pulses.
3. Qubits are then programmed from these microwave pulses.
4. The qubits on the quantum circuit are processed using quantum gates.
5. After that the results are shown by the quantum computer

The next question that arises is what is its advantage over classical computer that is used today for
normal operations?

An N bit classical computer processes 1 state at a time irrespective of the combination of N bits
while an N Qubit Quantum computer can process 2N states simultaneously which is exponential in
nature. To show the power of a quantum computer, following are some of its points:

1. 100 qubits quantum computer can compute more faster classical bit computer composed of
all atoms on planet earth
2. The top supercomputers can manage everything a 5 to 20 qubit quantum computer can.
3. A Classical Supercomputer will take 1 billion years to break 2048 RSA bit encryption while
5000 qubit perfectly stable computer can break it in 10 seconds. 2048 RSA bit encryption is
used in cryptography for digital certificates of https websites.

This computing power have large business use cases:

• In Petroleum and Chemical, some of its applications are Chemical Product Design, Oil
shipping and trucking, Drilling locations.
 • In Health care and Life Sciences, for example: Protein Structure prediction, Drug Discovery,
Disease Risk prediction, Medical Drug Supply Chain, Genomic Analysis, etc.

So, why it is not of a success till now. There are major challenges in scaling of this technology which
are acting as a feasibility barrier.

1. Temperature - The stability of quantum computing depends on the environment

temperature. Absolute zero temperature is recommended for operations
2. Error Rate - The lesser the error rate in quantum gates for processing qubits, the faster the
result will be there.
3. Qubits - The more qubits are there in system the more states can be represented
simultaneously. Currently systems have very low qubits.

Large companies like IBM, Google, Intel are working on this technology at a very fast pace. For
example, Google Sycamore, IBM Q53, Intel Tangle Lake are examples.

Quantum computing does not stop at this only. It will also impact other technologies.

The blockchain reliability lies on its encryption algorithm which further relies on the keys to decrypt
the data. With quantum computing, the existing encryption algorithms can be easily decrypted
giving rise to the question on the existence of blockchain in future.

On the other hand, it might become a boon for AI as the AI algorithms will be using these systems as
hardware surpassing all their current efficiency of operations.