In mathematics, probability is defined as a number between 0 and 1 expressing the precise likelihood of an event happening.
Before the advent of computers, quantum theory was reportedly introduced by Max Planck in the early 1900s. He proposed that energy is quantized into discrete units known as energy packets.
Now, this was just a theory that was practically unproved. We can't see energy with our naked eyes.
However, over the years, the concept about quantum mechanics was pursued by similar individuals and it yielded interesting discoveries that gave branch to quantum physics and later quantum computing.
Quantum mechanics is basically a way to discover the behaviour of matter on the minute level giving us a framework to understand its fundamental principle(s).
Let's first describe what computing is.
This is the process of using any computer to perform tasks, process information and execute code in order to achieve a specific objective. This information is generally represented using a bit, as a 1 or 0. It's binary.
Quantum computing is performing the above-mentioned on the principles of quantum mechanics.
The difference is that instead of using a bit, a qubit is used which can represent a 0, a 1, or both simultaneously. Superposition reigns instead of binary.
Who would've thought that involution, i.e going to the fundamentals, is a way to break limits and create something new?
Leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics gives us the ability to perform computations in a fundamentally different way than traditional computing. With how reality is becoming more complex and the overload of information, the limits of a bit is becoming more evident.
Not to blow your mind away or anything, quantum computing is simply timeless in a sense that it operates outside of time.
So it can technically assist us in breaking the limits of time and I think that's the main premise of it. Albeit a dangerous one.
But this is nothing to worry about for now because the hardware capabilities are still in its very early stages.
Ever since the concept was introduced in the early 1980s by physicists Richard Feynman and Yuri Manin, the quantum computing bandwagon has kept on moving.
First, quantum algorithms were developed to search unsorted databases and large model information. This happened all through the 1990s.
And in the late 1990s to early 2000s, experimental implementations were deployed by researchers to demonstrate the concept behind it.
Then came the phase of quantum error correction in which the detrimental effects of noise and errors in quantum systems were mitigated and solved.
A big breakthrough happened in 2019 when Google announced that they have achieved the milestone of quantum supremacy.
This means they have a quantum computer that could perform significantly faster than any known traditional computer.
It was reported that the quantum computer could solve a perplexing difficult problem in 200 seconds while it would've taken 10,000 years for the best traditional computer to solve it.
I personally doubt the facts but if it is true then it is really wonderful.
On the background, the quest for increasing qubit counts continues.
It's currently at more than a 100 qubits according to the Internet.
And investors are fueling the quantum supremacy arms race.
I hope there will be multiple winners.
Every technological breakthrough is a tool to explore another facet of reality and probe the mysteries of the universe.
By ourselves, we're almost useless with our perceived physical limitations.
But these tools allow us to extend our perception way beyond our physical proximity.
When a quantum computer for time travel is introduce, where will you travel, the past or the future?
References;
× Forbes
× Vox
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