As we delve into the microscopic or nano world, the classical laws of physics that govern our macroscopic world cease to hold, giving rise to a new branch of science known as quantum physics. The fascinating properties exhibited by quantum objects, such as superposition, interference, tunneling, and entanglement, have opened up new avenues for computing in a fundamentally different way. While traditional computers rely on classical bits that can only be either 0 or 1, quantum computers harness the properties of quantum bits or qubits to perform calculations in parallel, resulting in exponential speedups for certain types of problems. However, quantum computing is not just about speed; it represents a paradigm shift in the way we approach computation.
The development of quantum computing was spurred by the limitations of classical computing, which rely on Moore's law, first identified by Gordon Moore in 1965. Moore's law states that the computational power of chips doubles every two years, a trend that has held for decades. However, this trend is approaching its limits as transistors in modern chips have reached a size on the nanometer scale(Approx 1nm: size of cricket ball = size of cricket ball: size of earth). The silicon commercial transistors may be smaller than 45nm. Since the smallest indivisible particle is an atom, the size of transistors will eventually reach a fundamental limit, necessitating a paradigm shift in computing giving rise to quantum computing, which operates on the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations in entirely different ways. In 1982, Richard Feynman postulated that quantum systems must be simulated on quantum computers, which gave birth to the idea of quantum computers as a fundamentally different type of computing that promises to unlock unprecedented levels of computational power.
In conclusion, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize numerous fields by leveraging the properties of quantum mechanics. In particular, it holds great promise for cryptography, where it can provide unparalleled levels of security, as well as for materials science and drug discovery, where it can accelerate the development of new materials and drugs. As we continue to develop and refine quantum computing technology, we will likely discover even more applications and use cases for this exciting and rapidly-evolving field.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay