December 16, 2024 By: JK Tech
A new quantum computer, called Willow, was unveiled recently by Google. It seems to be the talk of the town in terms of technology. It’s not simply a supercomputer; it is an idea based on an entirely different principle of computing known as quantum computing. But what does it really mean? And why is that important? Let’s break it down.
What Is Quantum Computing?
Conventional computers use tiny switches called bits to process information, where each bit can exist as either a 0 or a 1. In contrast, quantum computers utilize qubits. A qubit has the unique ability to represent both a 0 and a 1 at the same time, thanks to a phenomenon in quantum mechanics known as superposition. This characteristic enables quantum computers to process a vast amount of data simultaneously, offering the potential for significantly faster computations in certain applications.
Why Is Willow Important?
Back in 2019, Google came out with Sycamore, a quantum computer that could fathom a specific task pretty much faster than any conventional supercomputer could do. This defining feature was called quantum supremacy. But since then, other conventional supercomputers have improved and have reached the power of Sycamore.
Now, Google has come with Willow which holds a record of having 105 qubits in comparison to 67 of Sycamore. What is even more striking fact is that Willow houses its qubits in a way far superior to what his predecessor offered. Usually, adding more qubits makes it harder to hold them stable. They lose their special quantum properties quickly, which makes the machine less reliable. Willow, however, solved this problem by improving the quality of the holding time of its qubits: it lasts well over five times longer than Sycamore’s.
What Has Willow Achieved Thus Far?
To assess its capabilities, Google used a specific task as a test of Willow’s raw power. This task involved generating highly random outputs, an area where quantum computers typically excel. Remarkably, Willow completed the entire process in just five minutes. In contrast, it would take the world’s most powerful traditional supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years to achieve the same result- an incomprehensibly long period of time.
Why Does It Matter?
For now, tasks like these don’t have practical uses. However, they’re important stepping stones. According to the experts, in the coming years, quantum computers like Willow will possibly resolve some real-world problems too hard for computers today to tackle. These problems might include producing more efficacious medicines, creating advanced materials, enhancing security systems, or sometimes enhancing machine learning algorithms altogether.
What can we expect?
While quantum computers are not yet ready to take over your laptop or perform everyday tasks, Willow is making significant advancements. This progress indicates that the field of quantum computing is moving closer to becoming practical, which could one day transform industries and lives in ways that are unimaginable at this moment.
