„Game Changer” – Quantum Computer
Discoveries in the field of physics have had a tremendous impact on our world, both technologically and in terms of our understanding of the universe. This impact is multifaceted, encompassing various areas of life and science. Semiconductor physics led to the creation of transistors and integrated circuits, which in turn enabled the development of computers, smartphones, and a wide range of electronic devices that are indispensable in everyday life. Without these discoveries, artificial intelligence would never have developed. So, has physics had its final say in the development of artificial intelligence as well? Definitely not, progress in quantum mechanics has the potential to elevate AI capabilities to unimaginable and unpredictable levels. The quantum world is as astounding as the current capabilities of artificial intelligence, but what exactly is quantum mechanics, and how did it all begin?
In the turbulent waters of science at the beginning of the 20th century, a theory emerged that was set to redefine our understanding of reality at the most fundamental level. This theory, known as quantum mechanics, began its life as a series of puzzles that shook the foundations of classical physics.
One of the first puzzles was the issue of black body radiation, which forced Max Planck to suggest that energy is emitted in discrete quantities, or quanta. This discovery opened the door to a world where the old picture of energy’s continuous nature was obsolete. Albert Einstein took up this challenge, using the concept of quanta to explain the photoelectric effect and suggesting that light could behave like a stream of particles – photons. This was revolutionary, challenging the prevailing wave concept of light.
In the 1920s, Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger, working independently, created two formulations of quantum mechanics. Heisenberg introduced matrix mechanics, while Schrödinger formulated the wave equation. Both theories, though different in form, described the same quantum reality. Then, in 1928, Paul Dirac revolutionized the theory even further by combining quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity. His work predicted the existence of antimatter, another step towards understanding the mysterious quantum universe.
At this time, Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg formulated the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, which posited that quantum particles do not have defined properties before they are measured. This probabilistic view of reality was difficult to accept, even for Einstein. Einstein, a proponent of determinism, struggled to accept the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. His famous statement, „God does not play dice,” expressed his disagreement with the idea that events at the quantum level are inherently random and unpredictable. He believed that there should be „hidden variables” that explain these phenomena in a deterministic way.
The debate around quantum mechanics reached a climax with the EPR (Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen) paradox in 1935, challenging the incompleteness of quantum mechanics and introducing the concept of quantum entanglement. This opened the way to new and profound understandings of quantum reality. Today, quantum mechanics is not only the foundation of modern physics, but also the basis for the development of technologies, from transistors and lasers to quantum computers and medical imaging techniques. This incredible journey from theoretical foundations to practical applications demonstrates how far we can go when we allow ourselves to think boldly beyond the boundaries of traditional understanding.
One of the most famous and significant experiments in the field of quantum mechanics, especially in the context of quantum teleportation and entanglement, was conducted by Chinese scientists using the Micius satellite. The basis of the experiment relied on the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, which posits that the state of one quantum object can instantly affect the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. In practice, this allows for the „teleportation” of quantum information over theoretically infinite distances. The experiments demonstrated that teleportation is possible even over large distances, which was previously considered difficult due to sensitivity to environmental interference.
The experiment using the Micius satellite aimed to build a global quantum communication network. The satellite, part of the Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) program, used lasers to send entangled photons. One photon was transmitted to the satellite, while the other remained on Earth. Measurements of the photons on Earth and in orbit were then made to confirm that quantum entanglement was occurring and that quantum teleportation over this distance was possible. Over 32 days, millions of photons were sent, with positive results in 911 cases.
This experiment set a new standard in the field of quantum teleportation, paving the way for the development of a global quantum network and increasing the potential for secure communication technologies based on quantum mechanics. It also showed China’s dominance in this field of science, which until recently was mainly led by Europe and the United States. This experiment broke the distance record in quantum teleportation, transmitting entangled photons over a distance of 1,200 km (746 miles).
In an experiment that also garnered much attention, scientists attempted to place a tardigrade, also known as a “water bear,” in a state of quantum entanglement with a pair of qubits. In this experiment, researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore used tardigrades because of their exceptional resilience and ability to survive in extreme conditions, entering a state akin to suspended animation. The aim of this experiment was to connect a quantum system with a biological system, a challenge given that life is complex, whereas quantum objects are small, cold, and well-controlled.
The scientists froze the tardigrades to a temperature near absolute zero and lowered the pressure to an extremely low level. The tardigrades appeared dead but were not – their metabolism dropped to zero, and they entered a state of cryptobiosis. Then, an attempt was made to entangle them with two superconducting transmon qubits used in quantum computers. One of the tardigrades was successfully thawed after the experiment.
Although the results of this experiment were published, other physicists are not convinced about the claims of actual quantum entanglement. Some argue that only a classical interaction between the tardigrade and the qubit was demonstrated, not true quantum entanglement. The question of whether true quantum entanglement occurred remains open and will likely require further research and review by other scientists.
This experiment was certainly pioneering and demonstrated the extraordinary resilience of tardigrades, but whether true quantum entanglement was achieved is still a subject of debate in the scientific community.
In addition to quantum communication, intensified research is ongoing in quantum cryptography to preserve the security of the world’s most critical systems, especially in light of the potential construction of a quantum computer that could easily break all existing security systems. Over the past decades, quantum cryptography has evolved from laboratory experiments to real-world applications. Many countries are working on building quantum communication networks, aiming to create exceptionally secure channels for data transmission. Quantum cryptography, once considered an abstract concept, is now at the forefront of the digital battlefield, protecting our most vital information. From theoretical paradoxes to quantum networks, its history is a fascinating journey through the complex world of physics, mathematics, and technology. As we face new challenges in the digital era, quantum cryptography stands as the guardian of our digital security, a symbol of progress and the relentless pursuit of uncovering secrets.
The quantum computer is a „double-edged sword.” On one hand, its ability to solve problems that are insurmountable for classical computers presents a potential threat to traditional methods of cryptography. On the other hand, the same quantum technologies open new possibilities for more advanced quantum cryptography systems, capable of withstanding attacks from even the most powerful quantum computers. But what exactly is this quantum computer?
This computer is a type of computer that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. It differs significantly from classical computers, which rely on bits.
The fundamental unit of information in a quantum computer is the qubit (quantum bit). Unlike a classical bit, which can be in a state of 0 or 1, a qubit can be in a state of superposition, meaning it can represent 0 and 1 simultaneously.
Superposition is a quantum phenomenon that allows a qubit to exist in multiple states at once. This enables the processing of a large amount of data simultaneously, which theoretically can significantly increase the computational power of a quantum computer.
Quantum entanglement, another unique feature of quantum mechanics, is where qubits can be entangled in such a way that the state of one qubit can depend on the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. This phenomenon can allow for very rapid exchange of information.
In quantum computers, quantum gates are used to manipulate the states of qubits. They are the equivalents of logic gates used in traditional computers but allow for much more complex operations.
Quantum computers have the potential to solve certain types of problems much faster than classical computers, especially those requiring significant computational power, like the factorization of large numbers, optimization, or quantum simulations. These devices are still in the early stages of development and face numerous technical challenges, including maintaining the state of qubits (quantum coherence) and computational errors. Moreover, these computers require extreme conditions, such as very low temperatures, to function. Quantum computers are still in a phase of intensive research and are not yet widely available for commercial use. Nonetheless, their development represents a fascinating direction in the field of technology and computing, offering promising prospects for the future of data processing.
Artificial intelligence operating on fully functional quantum computing technology will primarily be able to process vast amounts of data faster than traditional computers. Furthermore, this advancement will accelerate machine learning algorithms, especially those requiring intensive computations, such as deep learning. It will more efficiently search parameter spaces during the training of neural networks, potentially leading to faster and more accurate learning.