The word “quantum” imbues any topic with instant mystique. Unfortunately, it often doubles as a “keep out” sign – a signal that an impenetrable quagmire of math and physics awaits anyone foolish enough to peer behind the label. “Quantum computing” is no exception: an air of inscrutable mystery surrounded the recent flurry of Internet stories about quantum computers. These machines exploit the mysterious phenomena of quantum mechanics – the physics of the ultra-tiny – to solve problems at speeds that leave traditional computers in the dust.
The latest buzz surrounded the announcement of a new lab where the Universities Space Research Association, Google, and NASA Ames will operate a quantum computer manufactured by D-Wave, a Canadian computer company. The announcement triggered a wave of breathless stories about the near-magical capabilities of such computers. All this coverage has only made quantum computing seem more impenetrable: what makes a computer “quantum?” Why do we want a quantum computer? And has D-Wave actually built one that lives up to the excitement? To address these questions, we’ll need to start with some background on how computers represent information.
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