The thirst for speed and computer capacity may have found its threshold in quantum computing.

First of all, quantum computing is the development of computer technology based on the principles of quantum theory, which explains the nature and behavior of energy and matter on the quantum level.

Quantum theory? A question physicists would resolve to define as the ‘formula of all formulas.’ Scientists such as Albert Einstein, Werner Heisenberg, renowned physicist and author of ‘ The Uncertainty Principle,’ and many other famous physicists have dreamed of this ‘equation of everything,’ seeking it their entire lives.

Modern scientist today hasn’t stopped searching for what hold together the world in the biggest and smallest parts. And with the theory of everything shifting years to computers, scientist may find it possible to give a clear and unambiguous description of the observable phenomena in nature.

The seed of quantum computing was dropped by Paul Benioff while working at Argonne National Labs in 1981 by theorizing with a modern computer operating with some quantum mechanical principles. In 1984, David Deutsch of Oxford University at a computing theory conference wondered about the possibility of designing a computer that was based exclusively on quantum rules, and then he published a report that later planted the seed in the quantum world.

The quantum theory began in 1900 by physicist Max Planck, in which he introduced the idea that energy exists in individual units which he defined as “quanta.” Thirty years later, a number of scientists chipped at his theory which led to the modern understanding of quantum theory.

Combining physics, mathematics and computer science, quantum computing from the days of Max Planch to David Deutsch the plateau has been reached, a visionary idea to one of the most fascinating areas of quantum mechanics to quantum computing.

The goal of quantum computer, whereas, following the basics of quantum physics, would gain enormous processing power through the ability to be in multiple states, and to perform tasks using all possible permutations simultaneously.

M.I.T, I.B.M, Oxford University, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory are currently centers of research in quantum computing. The problem that arises from completing the task of quantum computing is that the quantum computer hasn’t been built, because the bits of information needed for calculation dwindles before a calculation is completed.

“In the past, people have said, maybe it’s 50 years away, it’s a dream, maybe it’ll happen sometime,” said Mark B. Ketchen, manager of the physics of information group at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. “I used to think it was 50. Now I’m thinking like it’s 15 or a little more. It’s within reach. It within our lifetime. It’s going to happen.”

As of now, the basic laptop or CPU perform their calculations using 1’s and 0’s, and binary digit is called a “bit” of information. In quantum mechanics, multiple possibilities exist at once, and a quantum bit (qubit) isn’t necessarily a”1” or a “0” but a combination of both. By gathering qubits, a quantum computer could perform a multitude of calculations repeatedly.

The problem with the qubit is that it becomes scrambled in the process, and the information it carries expires, it extinguishes at a few billionths of a second.
Scientist learned that trapping ions in electric and magnetic fields can stabilized qubits temporarily.

“We’re just crossing this threshold,” Dr. Ketchen said, “which is a big morale booster that says, gee, this is becoming doable.”
On May 01, 2013, Australian scientists have made a breakthrough on quantum computing, by detecting the spin, or quantum state, of a single atom using a combined optical and electrical approach.

The thirst for speed and computer capacity may have found its threshold with quantum computing by harnessing the power of atoms and molecules to perform memory and processing tasks – potentially to perform calculations to ignite and secure communications for government, military, defense, finance business and health industries.
Soon, by performing multiple calculations simultaneously, quantum computers could be applied to economic modeling, fast database searches, modeling of biological molecules and drugs, and encryption and decryption of information.

“The quantum internet will allow separate quantum computers to be integrated and it will enable encrypted communications,” said Associate Professor Matthew Sellars, of the Australian National University.

The study, published in the journal Nature, is a collaboration between researchers from the ARC Center of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology based at UNSW, the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne.

"Using light to transfer information in the quantum state is easier than doing it electrically. Ultimately this will lead to quantum communications over long distances," said Dr. Chunming Yin, lead author of the study. In addition, he said the new approach opens up the possibility of using light to couple the atoms, or qubits, together to form a quantum computer.

Photo Credit: AP
New York city Mayor James J. Walker, left, poses with Albert Einstein, second to left, at City Hall in New York City on Dec. 13, 1930. Many of the city's most distinguished intellectuals were present. Left to right are, Mayor Walker, Prof. Einstein, Maria Maric-Einstein and Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University. (AP Photo)