Scientists have already built a basic Quantum Computer that can perform certain calculations and that is millions of times smarter than the current super computer! Scientists believe that the first commercial Quantum Computer will be operational within 5-10 years.
What is the difference between normal and Quantum Computers?
Where the traditional computers work with bits, a 1 a 0 Quantum Computers work with Qubits. These Qubits have special properties. Qubits represent atoms, ions, photons or electrons and their respective control devices that work together to act as computer memory and a processor.
Because a Quantum Computer can contain these multiple states simultaneously, it has the potential to be MILLIONS OF TIMES more powerful than today’s most powerful supercomputers.
Entanglement
Quantum computers also make use of another aspect of quantum mechanics known as entanglement. Quantum particles are connected to each other, whereby distance has no influence whatsoever. This is an important part of Quantum Computers that is still being researched.
Alan Turing
The Turing machine is a theoretical device consisting of tape of unlimited length divided into small squares. Each square can contain a symbol (1 or 0) or be left empty. A read-write device reads these symbols and blanks, giving the machine its instructions to run a particular program. Does this sound familiar?
Well, in a quantum Turing machine, the difference is that the tape exists in a quantum state, just like the read-write head. This means that the symbols on the tape can be 0 or 1 or a superposition of 0 and 1; in other words, the symbols are both 0 and 1 (and all the dots in between) at the same time. While a normal Turing machine can only perform one calculation at a time, a quantum Turing machine can perform many calculations at a time.
More substantive information about Turing and Quantum can be found here.
Nice and useful animation about the Quantum Computer
in a nutshell – kurzgesagt has very nice and interesting videos on YouTube
This video explains Quantum Computers with fine animations.
Take advantage of it to stay relevant.
We also wrote a nice blog about hybrid thinking and what this will mean for us.