Building a quantum computer from living parts involves using the FMO protein, a light-harvesting protein found in certain bacteria, as the building block for quantum bits (qubits). The FMO protein has the ability to maintain quantum coherence, which is essential for quantum computing.
Using living parts for quantum computing has several advantages. First, the FMO protein is naturally occurring and can be easily extracted and manipulated. Second, the protein is small and can be easily integrated into existing technologies. Third, the protein has a long coherence time, making it ideal for quantum computing.
The FMO proteins are controlled using a combination of magnetic fields and lasers. These external stimuli can manipulate the energy states of the protein, allowing for the creation and manipulation of qubits.
The potential applications of a quantum computer built from living parts are vast and include solving complex optimization problems, simulating quantum systems, and breaking encryption codes. It could also have applications in drug discovery, material design, and other areas of scientific research.
Yes, there are several challenges and limitations to consider. First, the FMO protein is currently only able to maintain coherence at very low temperatures, so further research is needed to improve its stability at higher temperatures. Additionally, the process of integrating the protein into existing technologies and controlling it can be complex and costly. Further research and development are needed to overcome these challenges and make quantum computing with living parts a practical reality.