Speaking of cutting-edge IT technology, have you ever heard of the term “quantum computer” as the recognition of terms such as AI, artificial intelligence, and deep learning spreads?
Quantum computers have gradually become known as “like a great computer capable of high-speed calculations”, but in addition to the esoteric image of the science field that comes from the word “quantum”, the research stage is still unknown. Since it is a field with many parts, the current situation is that it is not very familiar.
In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner focusing on the fields and things that can be expected in the development of quantum computers, which are being researched for practical use.
table of contents
- 1. What is a quantum computer?
- 2. Fields where the potential of quantum computers is expected
- 3. What you can do with a quantum computer
- 4. The latest development status of companies in quantum computer development
- 5. Summary
1. What is a quantum computer?
Quantum computers are capable of high-speed calculations that far exceed conventional computers as well as supercomputers by utilizing the properties of quantum mechanics , and the speed is 100 million times faster than conventional computers! It is said that.
1.1 High-speed secrets of quantum computers
The basic operating principle of a normal computer is a bit represented by 0 or 1, whereas in the case of a quantum computer, calculations are performed in units called qubits that can handle 0 and 1 at the same time .
Due to the internal overlapping and entanglement of a large amount of data, which is a property of quantum mechanics, a large number of parallel calculations are realized, and extremely high-speed calculations are possible.
On the other hand, it seems that not all problems can be calculated quickly and accurately at present, and various ideas are required to increase the probability of extracting the correct answer from overlapping data, and research is underway. ..
1.2 Limitations of the computer you are currently using
With the progress of IT technology in recent years, more efficient and highly productive technology is required, and for that purpose, the technology to process a huge amount of data immediately is regarded as important.
It is said that the processing capacity of conventional computers currently in use is beginning to reach the limit as technical issues arise, such as how to accurately and quickly extract useful information from the overflowing information. increase.
With the development of the AI ​​field and IoT field, the amount of data is expected to continue to increase in the future, and the possibility of quantum computers, which are good at large-scale and difficult calculations, has been attracting attention.
1.3 Research and development for practical use is in progress
Currently, research and development of quantum technologies including quantum computers are active all over the world, mainly in the United States and China.
In Japan as well, companies, research institutes, and other countries are focusing on quantum technology, and the Japanese government will formulate a strategy for research and development of quantum technology by the end of 2019, and will implement concrete measures for the next 10 years. Announced that it will be summarized in the process chart.
Reference:Â Toward the formulation of quantum technology innovation strategy
2. Fields where the potential of quantum computers is expected
Quantum computers are expected to help solve various social issues.
2.1 Mobility field
Quantum computers may be used for smooth operation of vehicles for MaaS using electric vehicles and for solving traffic problems by optimizing traffic data .
â—† MaaS (Mobility as a Service) using EV (Electric Vehicle)
MaaS is a sharing service such as car shelling and a service that allows you to search, reserve, and pay from your smartphone at the same time when using various means of transportation. New initiatives such as implementation of.
The purpose is to improve mobility, solve problems such as traffic congestion and environmental problems in urban areas, and measures for vulnerable people.
Reference URL:Â What is MaaS of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications?
â—† Traffic optimization Optimize
traffic data to solve traffic problems such as traffic jams and generate priority routes for emergency vehicles.
2.2 Financial business field
â—† Portfolio optimization
Select the optimal combination from multiple investment stocks.
â—† Future stock price forecast / stock price fluctuation forecast
â—† Pricing of financial products
â—† Simulation in risk management work
3. What you can do with a quantum computer
In the previous chapter, we explained the fields where quantum computers are expected.
Here, in a little more detail, I will explain what can be done by utilizing the strengths of quantum computers and what is desired to be put into practical use.
3.1 Application to image recognition
Machine learning , which we often hear these days , is to give machines the ability to learn and allow them to make their own decisions. Currently, this machine learning-based face recognition, fingerprint recognition, automatic driving, etc. Image recognition technology is rapidly developing, and it is becoming familiar to our lives such as login to smartphones and biometrics.
It is said that the accuracy of identifying this image recognition will be further improved by utilizing the properties of the qubits of quantum computers.
3.2 Robust security
While the great computing power of quantum computers is being talked about, it is said that quantum computers threaten the current cryptographic key technology in terms of security, saying, “I think quantum computers will unlock all cryptographic keys.” increase.
In order to respond to this, the development of quantum -resistant computer encryption , an encryption technology that cannot be solved by quantum computers, is also in progress.
At the same time, research on a technology called quantum teleportation is also active from an attempt to utilize quantum computers in terms of security .
Quantum teleportation is said to enable ultra-high-speed communication and, in theory, realize security that prevents information leakage and eavesdropping .
3.3 Combinatorial optimization
Combinatorial optimization is the process of extracting the optimum data from a huge number of data options through calculations. To achieve this, a quantum algorithm called QAOA (Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm) and a technology called quantum annealing are attracting attention. ..
If the efficiency of operations and production is realized by combinatorial optimization, it can be expected to reduce the load and cost so far, search for distribution routes, determine the molecular structure at the time of new drug development, and finance with high profitability. It is said to be effective in a wide range of fields such as portfolio creation.
4. The latest development status of companies in quantum computer development
How far has the development of quantum computers actually progressed? Let’s take a look at the development status of representative companies focusing on quantum computer development.
4.1 IBM
The 14th quantum computer developed by IBM is the most powerful and powerful model ever, with 53 qubits forming the basic data processing elements at the heart of the system.
The system, which will be available online to quantum computing customers in October 2019, is a major leap from the previous 20 qubit “IBM Q” machine, a fusion of traditional computers and quantum physics. It is expected to be a step forward.
[Reference]
IBM’s new 53-qubit quantum computer is its biggest yet
4.2 Google
On October 23, 2019, Google announced that it succeeded in solving a calculation that would take 10,000 years with an existing supercomputer using a quantum computer in just a few minutes. It states that this allowed quantum computers to demonstrate quantum supremacy that
surpasses the computational power of traditional computers .
The news was announced on the fly a few weeks ago and was a hot topic, but this time Google officially reported the proof-of-concept paper in the English scientific journal “Nature”.
It is said that this verification was a verification result due to a very limited specific problem or task, and although there are some who argue against it, it is said that it was a very significant verification result in the research of quantum computers. I am.
[Reference]
Nature: Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor
Google AI blog: Quantum Supremacy Using a Programmable Superconducting Processor
Financial Times: Google claims to have reached quantum supremacy
4.3 Microsoft
â—† Open source of Quantum Development Kit
In 2017, we announced Q #, a programming language for quantum computers. Announced that the ” Quantum Development Kit ” will be open sourced
in May 2019 . ” Quantum Development Kit ” is a development tool for quantum computers , including Q # related tools, Q # compiler, quantum simulator, etc.
â—† Quantum Computing Education-related Learning Courses Opened
On May 23, 2019, Microsoft collaborated with Brilliant, an online learning site related to mathematics and science, and Alphabet, the parent company of Google, to discuss quantum computing education. We have opened a learning course ( Practice Quantum Computing ).
You can use Q #, a programming language for quantum computers, to learn about quantum gates, encryption, ultra-high density coding, NISQ algorithms, and more.
5. Summary
Quantum computers are a field where growth is expected with unknown potential.
Just as the AI ​​field has made remarkable progress and has been put into practical use in the last few years, quantum computers, which bear many expectations, are being researched and developed mainly by the governments of each country and the world’s famous IT companies. It can be said that we are steadily approaching the realization of technology that was said to be impossible.
It is also expected that quantum computers will not be a substitute for conventional computers, but will be utilized in the IT society while coexisting by taking advantage of their respective characteristics and strengths.
