An explanation of quantum in computing
In this video, Informa TechTarget managing editor and multimedia editor Kelsey Waddill gives an overview of quantum computing and why it's generating so much buzz.
Step into the next era of computing with quantum technology.
Few technologies have been as revolutionary -- or exciting -- as quantum mechanics. Just a mention of the term is like pulling a page from a sci-fi franchise and putting some incredibly advanced technology inside our own data centers. Quantum technologies promise to revolutionize computing, and their capabilities are already being felt in research and scientific endeavors.
But where does the term quantum come from, and what does it really mean?
Here, we'll go over the basics of quantum computing and why it causes such a buzz in the computing world.
The term quantum originates from the Latin word quantus, meaning "how much" or "amount." But the term really took hold in modern physics, where quantum refers to the smallest distinct units of matter or energy. These include photons of light and other subatomic particles, such as electrons.
Quantum physics, meaning the study of these various quantum atomic and subatomic particles, focuses on the unique relationships and behaviors that these particles exhibit.
Quantum particles show several important behaviors, including the following:
- Superposition, which enables a quantum particle to exist in many possible states simultaneously.
- Uncertainty, which states that it's impossible to know the state of a particle with perfect accuracy all the time.
- Coherence, which is the continued predictable state of the particle.
- Decoherence, which is the loss of coherence and superposition.
- Entanglement, which is the relationship and interaction of particles over a distance.
- Wave-particle duality, which describes how particles can behave like both waves and particles.
Researchers and engineers can harness these quantum particles for practical applications, such as processing quantum information, performing quantum calculations and facilitating quantum communication -- all because of a quantum particle's "spin."
In traditional computing, a bit is either 0 or 1. But a quantum particle's superposition characteristics enable the particle to represent any state between the two with a degree of uncertainty.
A quantum bit is called a qubit, and it can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This means that qubits can represent and process more complex information at the particle level, enabling quantum computers to perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers.
It's this speed that makes quantum computers so appealing for computing and scientific work.
The profession dedicated to designing and building practical applications for quantum particle behaviors is called quantum engineering.
Experts anticipate that quantum computing will bring notable changes to technology, cybersecurity, healthcare and many other fields, but there are still significant challenges to overcome before these technologies become mainstream.
Do you think the future is quantum? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments, and remember to like and subscribe too.
Sabrina Polin is a senior managing editor of video content for the Learning Content team. She plans and develops video content for Informa TechTarget's editorial YouTube channel, Eye on Tech. Previously, Sabrina was a reporter for the Products Content team. Stephen J. Bigelow, senior technology editor at Informa TechTarget, has more than 30 years of technical writing experience in the PC and technology industry.