Quantum Computing: What It Is & What It Can Do

In summary, a quantum computer is a type of computer that uses quantum mechanics principles to perform operations. It does not look like a traditional computer and only experimental models with a few qubits have been produced. While it has potential to be faster than present super computers, it is not currently at that level. Quantum algorithms can have various applications, including cryptography, but they are not the same as genetic algorithms.
  • #1
Spammers
9
0
What is a quantum computer in short ? what does it look like ?
Can it be as fast as a present super computer ?

Another, beside crypto, what can quantum algorithms do ? Can they do something good like genetic algorithms ? :redface:
 
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  • #2
Read this info from caltech:
http://www.cs.caltech.edu/~westside/quantum-intro.html

you should get a good understanding of what it's all about
 
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  • #3
Thanks, exequor. That was a good read.
 
  • #4
Spammers said:
Can it be as fast as a present super computer ?

Your question should be just the opposite. And the answer is NO.

Spammers said:
what does it look like ?
Nothing like what most people have in mind, as far as a computer. Oh and only the most elementary experimental ones that contain around 4 qubits, maybe more, have been produced. As far as I know.
 
  • #5
It depends on polynomial time.
 

1. What is quantum computing?

Quantum computing is a form of computing that uses quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. It differs from classical computing, which uses binary bits, in that it uses quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in multiple states at the same time.

2. How does quantum computing work?

Quantum computing relies on the principles of quantum mechanics, which govern the behavior of particles at a subatomic level. Instead of using classical bits, which can only have a value of 0 or 1, quantum computers use qubits that can exist in a state of 0, 1, or both simultaneously. This allows for much more complex calculations and faster processing speeds.

3. What are the potential applications of quantum computing?

Quantum computing has the potential to greatly impact fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence. It can also be used for optimization problems, simulations, and big data analysis.

4. What are the challenges facing quantum computing?

One of the main challenges of quantum computing is the fragility of qubits. They are highly sensitive to external interference and can easily lose their quantum state, leading to errors in calculations. Another challenge is the need for specialized and expensive equipment to maintain the quantum state of the qubits.

5. Is quantum computing accessible to everyone?

Currently, quantum computing is still in its early stages and is mainly being developed and used by researchers and large tech companies. However, there are efforts to make quantum computing more accessible by developing user-friendly programming languages and offering cloud-based quantum computing services. It is expected that in the future, quantum computing will become more widely available and affordable for various applications.

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