By DANIEL SHIN
Cell phones, computers, tablets, and other electronic devices are all examples of quantum physics in action. It is impossible to deny that quantum physics has played a crucial role in our lives. Whether that has been through merely owning a cell phone or receiving medical treatment developed by quantum computing, millions have come across quantum physics sometime in their life. Estimated to grow to a multi-billion dollar industry by 2030, quantum computing is expected to expand to other sectors beyond energy, security, and finance.
While quantum physics has been around for decades, modern quantum computing has revolved around the facet of uncertainty and its unique properties. Electrons and photons— all are examples of quantum particles and play distinct roles in physics. In the context of quantum computers, these particles are unique as one cannot precisely know the location of any of these particles at a specific time. Therefore, quantum technologies are not based on certainty but rather on probability. In contrast, modern computers communicate and function purely on 0s and 1s, meaning that electronic circuits have two main functions: turning on and off. On the other hand, in quantum computers, quantum bits have the chances of being either 1s or 0s. This level of uncertainty may make no sense from a technological stance; however, these inaccuracies provide revolutionary features that allow for a more expansive range of ways for telecommunications.
In the technological world, quantum computers offer many benefits over classic computers that we are familiar with. As quantum computers deal with the essence of probability, it is impossible to duplicate quantum data as they are highly encrypted. Even with the most intricate algorithms to carry out a security breach, hackers are restricted from accessing data by the laws of physics. From a privacy standpoint, the idea of having a virtually impenetrable database is revolutionary. Further, quantum computers offer an inherent advantage over classical computers as it can perform complex computations faster and more efficiently. Quantum computers, in addition, are capable of carrying out tasks such as quantum teleportation. During quantum teleportation, the information in quantum bits is 'teleported' to different places.
In the field of medical research, quantum computing can be used for the development of medicine. Capable of analyzing and simulating the movement of molecules, quantum computers rely on the same set of physics laws as that of particular molecules. In fact, quantum computers are able to model a number of different molecules simultaneously, whereas supercomputers, which are generally used in bio-medical research, are incapable of carrying out this task. Using quantum computers in the field of medical research proves to be far more efficient than using traditional computers to simulate molecules. With these advancements in medical technology, scientists are more capable than ever of developing a vaccine in a short amount of time.
Though the development of quantum computers is still underway, having the technology at hand to solve intricate computation problems at unprecedented speeds shows how far quantum physics has come and how much more it can do. With billion-dollar companies investing in quantum software development, including Amazon and Microsoft, it is not hard to tell that computer technology has metamorphosed from traditional computers to quantum technologies that bring about new security features along with other revolutionary features. As the use of quantum computers becomes more prevalent across different fields, the benefits that quantum technology can offer are promising.
Works Cited
Ball, Philip. “Quantum Physics May Be Even Spookier Than You Think.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 21 May 2018, www.scientificamerican.com/article/quantum-physics-may-be-even-spookier-than-you-think/.
“Quantum Physics.” New Scientist, www.newscientist.com/term/quantum-physics/.
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