China’s Quantum Computer Achieves 2.6 Billion Years of Computation in 4 Minutes
While this is an old news, social media is filled with this and I thought a little research and a new post on this is necessary now to at least give you a clear picture of the news. So read below:
Chinese researchers have made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing with their photonic quantum computer, Jiuzhang.
According to wikipedia, in an experiment conducted in December 2020, Jiuzhang performed a complex calculation in approximately 200 seconds (just over three minutes), a task that would take the world’s most powerful classical supercomputer an estimated 2.5 billion years to complete.
The Jiuzhang quantum computer, developed by a team at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) led by Pan Jianwei and Lu Chaoyang, utilizes photons—particles of light—to perform computations. This approach according to Wired differs from other quantum computers that use superconducting qubits. The experiment involved a process known as Gaussian boson sampling, which is particularly suited to photonic quantum computers and is considered computationally infeasible for classical computers.
In the experiment, Jiuzhang successfully detected up to 76 photons, setting a new record in the field. This achievement marks a significant milestone in demonstrating quantum supremacy—the point at which a quantum computer can perform a calculation beyond the practical capabilities of classical computers.
While this breakthrough showcases the potential of quantum computing, it’s important to note that the current application is highly specialized.
The specific problem solved, Gaussian boson sampling, doesn’t have immediate practical applications but serves as a benchmark to demonstrate the capabilities of quantum systems.
Nevertheless, the techniques and technologies developed through this research are expected to contribute to the advancement of quantum computing, potentially impacting fields such as cryptography, optimization, and materials science in the future.
