Is Quantum Computing Possible or Just Sci-fi Nonsense?

You’ve probably heard the phrases “quantum science” or “quantum computer” thrown around before, whether that’s in movies, TV shows, or just in conversation. But is this stuff actually important or is it just some niche field of research that doesn’t really matter? 

Computers, as we know them today, have only really been around for less than 50 years. Over time, they have become more powerful and cheaper, moving from machines used mainly by large businesses in dedicated computer rooms to devices in nearly everyone’s pocket. Not only are the modern computers much stronger than computers 50 years ago but they are also much cheaper. The question we have to ask now is “Where are all the quantum computers?”.

The Existence of Quantum Computers

Quantum computers are in fact real devices that are in the early stages of development in various labs around the world. But if these devices are being built, why do we not see companies adopting them like we saw with the first steps of classical computing?

Modern quantum computer vs Computer from the 1950s

Image: “Alice and Bob Cryostat” by Nilhope, licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Image: “AVIDAC – First Argonne Computer (1953)” by Argonne National Labratory, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

In its current state quantum computers are not stable enough to be widely used [1]. Quantum computers currently have many issues from not being able to stay cold enough to interference from outside sources [2], [3]. Many of these problems can be boiled down to the simple umbrella term of error

Quantum Error

Quantum computers have error similar to how classical computer have error. Think how a file might corrupt meaning that the data inside of it becomes useless and thus the information is lost. This concept is the same for quantum computers except for the fact that quantum computers are much more sensitive to their environment in terms of error.

In order for a quantum computer to function it needs to be kept at a temperature of less than 1 °K (-457.87 °F), way below freezing [4]. Due to this temperature requirement if there are any sources of interference from both inside and outside the computer the system can get to warm and collapse into a corrupted state. The fact that quantum computers are so sensitive leads to the main roadblock and an entire field of study which is quantum error correction or “QEC” for short.

Quantum Error Correction

Quantum error correction (QEC) is the study of error in quantum systems and, as the name suggests, how to correct that error. In addition to correcting the error the field also focuses on stopping the error from happening in the first place.

There are many different approaches being tested to attempt to solve this issue of quantum error such as using different materials, changing the way the different parts of the computer talk to each other, and the layout of the main computer chip to name a few [5], [6]. Quantum error correction, in its current form, follows a simple sounding logic.

The different qubits, which are equivalent to bits in a computer [1], are allowed to talk to a couple other qubits surrounding it and check themselves to make sure that neither itself nor its neighbors have corrupted. While this sounds simple in practice it is extremely difficult to get working.

 

Graphical representation of a qubit where up is 0 and down is 1

Image: “Bloch Sphere” by Glosser.ca, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Some of the complexities of this process come from the fact that when these qubits talk to each other they create a little bit of heat and if this happens too often the system will get too warm and collapse. Another issue is what happens if a qubit and its neighbors all collapse between checks and, after checking, determine that they are all correct because they are corrupted.

The Future of Quantum Error Correction

As mentioned previously, there are many different possible solutions to help with this issue of quantum error.

One possible solution utilizes, for the majority, classical hardware on the outside of the quantum computer. This solution is called “cryogenic superconducting control hardware”. Breaking down the idea into a couple phrases in the title gives a very strong outline for what it is focusing on. “Cryogenic” denotes that the solution focuses heavily on the cooling equipment and ensuring the system stays at these low temperatures. “Superconducting” is the emphasis on new materials that function more efficiently at these low temperatures by creating little heat when working. Lastly “control hardware” shows this solution focuses on how the exterior control system works with the interior quantum system without causing the interference that currently exists

A second solution, called “low overhead architecture” is much more focused on the layout of the individual qubits and the way that they communicate with each other. Unlike the first solution this one can not be broken down into keywords so simply. This solution is focused on optimizing the normal computer attached to the quantum computer by changing the way the quantum system operates. The main way this would be accomplished is through minimizing the number of qubits required for the computer to work by maximizing the number of qubits each other qubit can directly communicate with.

Cryogenic Superconducting Control Hardware

               The main idea behind this solution is to focus on ensuring that the environment the quantum chip is in remains at an extremely cold temperature to the point where, even if the chip begins to heat up, the system remains stable [7]. There are multiple different techniques that would have to be utilized in order to have this solution work.

               One such concept to help with this solution is that the classical computer that works alongside the quantum computer should be moved closer to the quantum computer, at least some parts of it [8]. Since heat gets created inside of any wire with a current having the classical computer closer from the quantum system might be counter intuitive in some respects. While some of these systems will create heat if the classical computer is in a cooled environment if parts of the computer, deemed particularly important, are closer to the quantum system there would be less wiring which could in turn actually have a net cooling effect on the system.

Another concept is to limit the number of communication channels to the quantum computer as letting any and all frequencies communicate with the quantum computer allows for interference between signals [9]. Having limited channels limits the possible interference and stops any noise from getting too large thus preserving the signal which keeps the system in a stable state.

 

Low Overhead Architecture

          This second possible solution focuses mainly on making sure that the qubits communicate more efficiently with each other which would reduce the number of qubits required for the system to work. By reducing the number of qubits required we also reduce the number of communication instances required which leads to less heat over the same computation.

               The first technique that could be used to utilize this solution is to put more effort into optimizing the layout of the chip where the qubits are arranged. The main way this could be done is by creating layers of 2D arrangements that can communicate with each other [10]. By making these simplified 2D layers it would allow for much less wasted steps and better communication and thus less heat. Another technique is to utilize mobile qubits. By creating a chip where the qubits can move the issue of qubits not being able to communicate with one another disappears. This technology is extremely promising as Matsumoto et al. showed there is a gate fidelity of 99% after moving two qubits together [11]. This is extremely important because it solves another issue of interference between qubits when they are too close together [12]. Qubits that are packed close together have strong noise correlation which leads to an increase in error.

 

Conclusion

By utilizing one or both of the solutions above we could significantly reduce the error in quantum systems. But what does reducing this error mean for the field of quantum computing, or in other words, whats next?

Quantum systems are capable of not only faster versions of the same computations we are already doing, but they are able to do computations that are not physically possible on our classical computers. Think of all of the ways computers have changed the way that we live currently, from flight computers to security systems. Quantum computers will change the way we live in ways we cant even imagine, but there are some things we know quantum will be able to do for us. Drug development is one of the most impactful fields that quantum will be able to optimize as there are many diseases that we do not have a cure for and are killing people at large rates, cancer being the main one that comes to mind. These computers would allow for large simulations that would be able to determine which drug compounds could be best utilized to work for a hyper specific disease. Another use would be optimization of technologies we already use like power plants, cars, and water purification. By utilizing quantum computers we could begin to find safer and cleaner ways to advance humanity which helps not only humans but also the other life that we live with on earth.

Bibliography

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