Frontier of computational evolution, quantum computing is now taking its first concrete steps but is still far from meeting expectations. However, thanks also to important public and private investments, research is galloping and in the short term the first commercial applications will be seen. Quantum computers are new types of devices that allow information to be represented and manipulated not through the classic binary system "0" and "1".
HOW THEY WORK?
They exploit quantum bits or qubits, more complex objects that exploit peculiar properties of quantum physics: superposition of states, entanglement and quantum interference.
ADVANTAGES
The main advantage of quantum computers is that potentially this category of computers could solve some families of problems (called "complexity classes"); these are issues that are very difficult today and require excessive temporal, technical and economic resources to be able to deal with them.
This is a fascinating field, but with considerable criticalities: both from a scientific point of view (there are still difficulties in demonstrating the effective superiority of quantum computing over classical approaches) and at the engineering level, given the fragility of quantum systems and the need to shield them from radiation, keep them in temperatures close to zero and correct errors.
WHEN IS IT BORN?
The idea was born between the end of the ‘70s and the firsts of ‘80s when researchers as Yuri Manin, Richard Feynman and David Deutsch began to theorize the fact that the properties of quantum mechanics could be useful for processing information in a different way than traditional paradigms. During the ‘90s the first quantum computing algorithms began to be developed through the contribution of Peter Shor, with a factorization algorithm potentially useful for cryptanalysis, and Lov Grover, with regard to increasing efficiency in database searches.
THE CURRENT STATE OF QUANTUM COMPUTING
In the first decade of the 2000s, more and more physical implementations of qubits have been seen, through different paradigms such as the superconducting one [physical phenomenon that involves zero electrical resistance and expulsion of the magnetic field that occurs in some materials below a characteristic temperature called critical ed] or the one based on ion traps [device capable of capturing ions with the aid of electric and magnetic fields ed].
In recent years, all the large high-tech companies have invested in the sector, together with some startups such as Rigetti or D-Wave. Among the technology multinationals we can mention for example Google, with its 72 qubit Bristlecone processor, IBM, which in January 2019 announced its commercial quantum computer IBM Q, or Microsoft, which adopts a heterodox approach based on so-called fermions. Majorana [fermionic particle which is also its own antiparticle. Fermions are particles that, together with bosons, constitute one of the two fundamental classes into which particles are divided ed].
The current state of affairs is that it is possible to make qubits work, but the achievement of quantum supremacy is not yet 100% certain. That is to say the unequivocal empirical measurement of the greater effectiveness of quantum computers compared to traditional ones in solving some particular categories of problems.
THE CURRENT RESEARCH IS FOCUSING ON WHAT?
The evolution of research now addresses numerous lines. The issues at stake are primarily the scalability of systems. Not all infrastructural approaches now explored will be easily extensible. Also, there is the problem of error correction. And again, the exploration of the first industrial applications will have to be carried out. And, again, the creation of frameworks and languages to develop software capable of exploiting the potential of quantum technologies.
QUANTUM COMPUTING APPLICATION TO BE EXPECTED SOON…
In the short term, since they require relatively few qubits, the most probable applications of quantum computing are simulations. And this in particular with regard to systems which are themselves based on quantum properties.
…& IN THE MEDIUM TERM
In the medium term, applications related to simulations and big data can also be hypothesized, such as in finance or scientific research. In the long term it is possible that quantum attacks could break some of the cryptographic algorithms routinely used today in financial transactions (including many cryptographic systems on which blockchains are based) and in securing military communications.
A final line of analysis concerns the potential applications related to artificial intelligence and machine learning. For now, this is only a hypothetical scenario and no predictions can be made. However, research on quantum machine learning is extending more and more, given that, if it were actually possible to accelerate learning in a neural network or improve statistical learning systems, the applications would be enormous and would affect all sectors, as is the case today. for classical artificial intelligence.
WHICH ARE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
In recent years, there has been an increasing volume of public and private investment in the development of quantum computers and quantum technologies.
Major American venture capital funds, such as Andresseen-Horowitz, Founders Fund and Google Ventures have at least one company in their portfolio linked to this sector. Equally major accelerators like Y Combinator or investment banks like Goldman Sachs.
Numerous governments, also given the implications for defense and intelligence, are funding research projects in this regard. China and the United States have launched multi-year programs in the billions of euros. And the European Union has also launched the Quantum Flagship program worth one billion euros. Many other nations, from Canada to Singapore, have invested resources and have been able to attract human capital to their research centers.
This is a phenomenon that will continue in the short term and in which it will be essential to build ecosystems at 360 degrees. Not just research per se, but upstream training and the cycle of technology transfer and investment in venture capital downstream. Those who manage to do so will be able to play a role in the "second quantum revolution". A revolution that will be based on the opening of new application spaces in telecommunications, communication, cryptography and information processing.
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