Quantum Computing

CT-174 Fundamentals of Information Technology

Sundar Pichai and Daniel Sank with a Google quantum computer, Santa Barbara, California, in October 2019
IBM Quantum System One is the first
circuit-based commercial quantum
computer, introduced by IBM in January
2019.
This integrated quantum computing
system is housed in a 2.7x2.7x2.7m
airtight glass cube that maintains a
controlled physical environment.
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/quantum-computing-explained
Classical vs Quantum Computing
• Classical computing is based on bits, which are either 0 or 1, while
quantum computing uses quantum bits or qubits, which can be in a state of
0, 1, or both (superposition).
• Quantum computers can perform certain computations exponentially
faster due to principles like superposition and entanglement.
• While classical computers store data in binary form, quantum computers
use qubits that represent more complex states, enabling parallel processing
capabilities that classical computers cannot match.
• Fields like cryptography, drug discovery, materials science, optimization
problems, and artificial intelligence are poised to benefit, as quantum
computing could accelerate computations exponentially in these areas.
Qubit
• Instead of bits, quantum computers use qubits. Rather than just being
on or off, qubits can also be in what’s called ‘superposition’ – where
they’re both on and off at the same time, or somewhere on a
spectrum between the two.
• A qubit or quantum bit is a basic unit of quantum information.
Qubit
• Qubits are counted in the same way that bits are, using the binary
system of 0 and 1. A bit's state can only be 0 or 1, whereas a qubit's
state can be both 0 and 1 at the same time
 Bits vs Qubits
Classical Bits Quantum Bits (Qubits)

5V 1
Right 1
Photon
Polarization
0V 0
Left 0

Run 1

Stop 0
Spin -up 1
Electron
Spin
Spin-down 0

ON 1
Excited 1
Atom
OFF 0 H
Energy
Ground
0
Qubit
• A quantum computer can utilize a variety of basic particles such as
electrons or photons. In fact, ions accomplish success through their
charging or separation, which serves as a symbol of 0 and/or 1.
• A qubit is a unit of measurement for each of these particles. The
character and conduct of these particles, as demonstrated in
quantum theory form the basis of quantum computing.
• The two most important aspects of quantum physics are the
principles of Superposition and Entanglement.
Superposition
• In quantum science, objects such as electrons and photons have
wavelike properties that can combine and become what is called
superposed.
• Real Life Example:
Imagine touching the surface of a pond at two different points at the same
time. Waves would spread outward from each point, eventually overlapping to
form a more complex pattern.
Superposition
• When an electron is in superposition, its different states can be
thought of as separate outcomes, each with a particular probability of
being observed. An electron might be said to be in a superposition of
two different velocities or in two places at once.
 Coin Game Example
Analogy to Understand Superposition

https://learn.qiskit.org/course/ch-demos/coin-game
Coin Game
• Quantum Coin Game is one of the fundamental concept of quantum
computing, which uses simple implementation of quantum gates or
more precisely uses the weirdness of quantum mechanics, to win
about 97% of the time, when played against an opponent. Flipping of
coin and say heads or tails.
• The main concept of this game is how the quantum computer uses
the power of quantum superposition, which tells an object can exists
in 2 different states at the same time, to win absolutely every time.
Coin Game
• Take a coin. If you flip it, it can either be heads or tails. But if you spin
it – it’s got a chance of landing on heads, and a chance of landing on
tails. Until you measure it, by stopping the coin, it can be either.
Superposition is like a spinning coin, and it’s one of the things that
makes quantum computers so powerful. A qubit allows for
uncertainty.
 Schrödinger's Cat
Analogy to Understand Superposition
Disclaimer: No cats were harmed during this experiment!
Schrödinger’s Cat
• In quantum mechanics, Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment
concerning quantum superposition.
• In the thought experiment, a hypothetical cat may be considered
simultaneously both alive and dead, while it is unobserved in a closed
box, as a result of its fate being linked to a random subatomic event
that may or may not occur.
• This experiment viewed this way is described as a paradox. T
• his thought experiment was devised by physicist Erwin Schrödinger in
1935 in a discussion with Albert Einstein.
Entanglement
• When two particles, such as a pair of photons or electrons, become
entangled, they remain connected even when separated by vast
distances.

• When researchers study entanglement, they often use a special kind

of crystal to generate two entangled particles from one. The
entangled particles are then sent off to different locations.

https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/entanglement
Teleportation through Entanglement
• Quantum teleportation is the transfer of an unknown quantum state
over long distances. This process requires entanglement and
therefore cannot be simulated with classical channels. In practice, a
single particle has many degrees of freedom, forming a complex
quantum state.
Quantum Algorithms and Applications
• Quantum algorithms leverage the unique properties of quantum
mechanics, such as superposition, entanglement, and interference, to
solve specific types of problems more efficiently than classical
algorithms.
• Here are some notable quantum algorithms and their applications:
Shor’s Algorithm
• Function: Used for factoring large numbers.
• Application: It has significant implications for cryptography, as it
could break widely used encryption methods, such as RSA, which rely
on the difficulty of factoring large numbers.
• This has led to research in quantum-safe cryptographic methods to
prepare for a quantum future.
Grover’s Algorithm
• Function: Provides a quadratic speed-up for unstructured search
problems by finding a specific item in an unsorted database.
• Application: Useful in database search, optimization problems, and
cryptographic applications like breaking symmetric cryptography.
• While it doesn’t offer an exponential speed-up, it still provides a
substantial improvement over classical search algorithms.
Quantum Machine Learning Algorithms
• Function: Quantum versions of machine learning algorithms, such as
Quantum Support Vector Machines (QSVM) and Quantum Neural
Networks (QNN), utilize quantum properties to enhance processing
speed.
• Application: These algorithms have potential applications in artificial
intelligence, particularly in high-dimensional data analysis and
training AI models faster and more efficiently