Zhang Qingrui, director of the IBM Quantum Computer Center of Taiwan Province University in China, said that IBM hopes to make the number of quantum bits exceed10 million in 15 years. At that time, the linear algebra problem that traditional computers need "10,000 years" to calculate can be solved by quantum computers in a few minutes. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the cryptographic system and immediately enter the "anti-quantum" era.

Why is the "quantum computer" omnipotent like a monster? Is it an enhanced version of "Supercomputer", consisting of more bits? No, traditional computers and quantum computers are two completely different forms of data processing.

The internal structure of IBM quantum computer is all coaxial. (flickr IBM Q，)？ Mysterious quantum behavior that even Einstein could not accept? Traditional computers process data in the form of bits, and each bit switches between two states, labeled as 0 and 1 respectively. A quantum computer is composed of qubits, which can be the superposition state of linear combination of 0 and 1. ?

When the qubit is in the superposition state, Director Zhang Qingrui said that if the position of qubit is marked by a sphere, and the positions of south pole and north pole represent 0 and 1 respectively, the bit of traditional computer can only be switched between the two poles, but when the qubit is superposed, it can be anywhere on the two-dimensional sphere, not limited to the north and south poles. ?

The potential difference between traditional computer and quantum computer. (Shen Hua)? The specific performance of quantum computer can be imagined through the quantum game of "coin toss". There is a coin in a black box. You and the computer take turns tossing coins in the black box. You can choose whether to flip. Neither you nor the computer will know what the other has done to the coin. After several rounds, if you look up and open the box, you win, and vice versa.

Zhang Qingrui said that if it is a classic game, the winning rate between you and the classic computer is half and half, because the classic behavior can only be turned over or not, and the bits can only be presented in two ways: 0 and 1; However, quantum computers are different. They may not directly become heads or tails in the black box, but may "rotate" coins, and this quantum rotation is undetectable by people who don't understand quantum strategy. Finally, as soon as you open the lid and observe, the coin will turn upside down, and the winning rate of the quantum computer will reach 100%.

This sounds incredible, right? Even Einstein could not accept quantum mechanics. He once said, "Does the moon exist only when you look at it?" ? This strange question points out the mysterious nature of the unobservable quantum behavior process. No one knows what the quantum computer did to the coins in the black box and where the quantum is. As long as we observe, quantum superposition and entanglement will disappear, and quantum will restore classical particle behavior.

"To understand this phenomenon, I'm afraid I have to study physics for more than ten years. But now that the quantum computer has been made, you might as well accept it and use it! " Zhang Qingrui said with a smile. ?

Zhang Qingrui, director of IBM Quantum Computer Center of National Taiwan University, visited IBM and took a group photo with quantum computer. (Provided by Zhang Qingrui)? Computational power of double exponential growth brought by quantum entanglement. The mysterious power of quantum is not limited to this, it also has the characteristic of entanglement when particles are in quantum state, also called "quantum entanglement". Literally, "entanglement" means that several quanta are tied together to become the same destiny. Zhang Qingrui mentioned that this is "I am in the mud and you are in the mud", and their states will be linked together, their power can be multiplied, and they can also handle calculations different from those of classical computers.

Everyone has heard of Moore's law, that is, the number of transistors contained in an integrated circuit will double every two years, which roughly shows that the computing power of a computer will increase exponentially, that is, 2? 、2? 、2? . However, Zhang Qingrui said that the winding characteristics will make the computing power of quantum computers increase at a "double exponential rate", that is, 22? 、22? 、22? This was put forward by Hartmut Neven, director of Google Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory this year, and it is also called "Nevin's Law" [Note 1].

Last year, Summit, the fastest supercomputer in the world, was able to perform 2 billion floating-point operations per second (2 * 1 0/8), and its nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) reached 800GB (gigabytes,1billion bytes) [Note 2]. However, Zhang Qingrui mentioned that if we can control the entanglement of quantum, and through the debugging process, a quantum computer can realize the computing power of "mega" bits (10 12) with about 40 logical qubits. It is generally believed that a logical qubit with debugging function may need about 1000 to 10000 physical qubits.

"It's hard to do! Jasmine Zhang Duan said that at present, IBM has opened five qubits for public use, and only two qubits are entangled. The cooperation between NTU and IBM can use 20 qubits, and there is no entanglement of all qubits. This year 10, IBM's new 53 qubit machine will be launched soon, and it is estimated that it can directly entangle 16 qubits [Note 3]. ?

The upper left of the picture shows the IBM 20qbits system, and the diagram below shows the 50qbits system. It can be found that not all qubits are interconnected, and the top right of the picture is a package photo of the quantum processor. (flickr IBM Q)？ Zhang Qingduan further explained that quantum entanglement is difficult because it is difficult for particles to reach a quantum state. Even if they reach the quantum state, they are not easy to control for a long time. For example, IBM uses superconducting materials to make qubits, which are controlled by microwaves. However, superconductors must operate in a harsh environment close to absolute zero (-273. 15℃), and there are many problems to be overcome, such as the short lifetime of related states. At present, scientists all over the world are still looking for different ways to break through.

In order to maintain the low temperature of superconductors, a dilution freezer will be installed under the quantum computer. (flickr IBM Q Acknowledgement: Graham Carroll)? Application of quantum computer: quantum communication and quantum finance At present, the commercial operation process of quantum computer in the world is 53-bit IBM quantum computer. Last year (20 18), Google announced a 72-bit quantum processor, but it was not released to the public. Zhang Qingrui said that a quantum computer needs at least 500 bits to gradually show its power and enter the stage of quantum superiority. Although quantum computers are still a long way from commercialization, at this stage quantum technology has blossomed in quantum communication and software applications! ?

In the IBM Quantum Computer Lab, the computer is protected in a white cover. (flickr IBM Q) Zhang Qingrui mentioned that when the state of one party changes between entangled quanta, the other party will also change accordingly, so the development of quantum network system can increase the efficiency of message transmission, because knowing the content of one party, we can know the message of the other party. Moreover, due to the unmeasurability of quantum, if quantum is used as the key, any attempt to obtain the password will cause the change of quantum state, thus ensuring that communication will not be eavesdropped.

Software development and application is the main part of IBM Quantum Computer Center of National Taiwan University. Zhang Qingrui mentioned that this year, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Quantum Computer Center was established in cooperation with IBM to provide a service platform for academic circles in Taiwan Province Province, China to connect with IBM Q system.

At present, IBM provides 20 qubits for academic members in Taiwan Province Province, China. There are two main types of ink marks: one is to deal with the calculation problems of basic physical chemistry; The second is to solve specific problems and find the best solution, such as: trucks have to run 100 locations for delivery, and how to deliver the goods most efficiently; How to manage the most efficient and best financial investment and risk control of factory import and export?

"At present, 70% of startups related to quantum computers only develop quantum computer solutions for a specific problem. Zhang Qingrui said that quantum computers are most suitable for solving complex big data problems, and quantum artificial intelligence, quantum finance and blockchain are all hot topics.

According to IBM's report, they expect to enter the era of tens of millions of qubits in 15 years, that is, there are more than 1000 logical qubits for debugging. Without quantum computers, it will lose its competitiveness, so even if the hardware is not in place now, startups will seize the opportunity and apply for patents.

"I often joke with college students now. You and your next generation should not be separated from quantum computers! You don't have to study if you are over 50, but you must start at once if you are under 20. Zhang Qingrui said frankly that in the past two years, everyone realized that the era of quantum computers was coming, but most of them didn't pay attention to it, just like the appearance of 1968 personal computer. At that time, they didn't know that there would be a world with many computers.

IBM's 5-bit quantum chip (flickr IBMQ MQ). ? You can use a quantum computer at home! The first step is to keep up with the cutting-edge technology. Starting from learning to write quantum computer programs, IBM launched the IBM Q5 five-bit quantum computer on 20 16 for the public to experience quantum computers online, and they can register their accounts on IBM Q Experience at home and connect in the cloud!

Up to now, about180,000 users around the world have made more than10,000 quantum computer simulations on IBM quantum computers and published more than 150 articles about quantum computers. At present, there are about 50 users in Taiwan Province Province, China [Note 4]. But at present, it can't be as friendly as computers now. There are all kinds of software to help you answer directly. You have to write a program to tell it what the problem is and how to solve it.

However, it is not too difficult to learn the programming language of quantum computers, so many smart high school students around the world are also using it. Zhang Qingrui said that you only need to know a little physics and mathematics, and a little basic knowledge of Python programming language. Join the program to learn some quantum concepts such as Hadamard Gate (H Gate).

The IBM Quantum Computer Center of National Taiwan University offers introductory courses on quantum computers from time to time, and there are also elective courses on the campus of National Taiwan University. It tours universities in Taiwan Province Province of China to hold courses on quantum computers every month. At present, preparations are being made for the training of high school teachers, hoping to promote the application of quantum computing in high schools and cultivate future talents. At the end of September, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Quantum Computer Center jointly held the "Quantum Computer Navigation", including: quantum computer and its calculation principle, quantum program teaching, and the initial use of quantum logic gates. You can go to the IBM Quantum Computer Center of National Taiwan University to inquire about related activities.

If you think learning to write programs is too terrible, you may wish to download the "Hello Quantum" mobile game launched by IBM! Gradually understand the operation rules of quantum computer by solving problems. After conquering it, you may fall in love with it. ?

IBM Quantum Computer Center of National Taiwan University (provided by IBM Quantum Computer Center of National Taiwan University)? Related tags: IBM bit superposition supercomputer computing power quantum bit quantum mechanics quantum entanglement quantum computer hot tags: Yahoo Newworm PI radar carnation article difficulty just all discussion 4