Quantum computers: they will not arrive for their exotic components

The
The quantum computer promises to be the next big technological step and, as such, the interest in the revolution that it will involve in our society grows exponentially. But, like any great promise, we hear the echoes of its potential impact before seeing it with our own eyes. This article is designed to put one's feet on the ground before succumbing to the most optimistic omens.

Quantum computers require very precise hardware. The parts needed for their construction are so specific that few companies manufacture them, they are expensive and their delivery times are long. "Currently, there is no quantum computer in absolute terms, the industry is in its infancy, but it is in full swing," begins Sal Bosman, founder and CEO of Delft Circuits, a Dutch development company. monitoring and control technologies bent or quantum bits, the equivalent of the traditional bits used by binary systems.

While the bits may represent ones or zeros, the cubits are particles, such as electrons or atoms, that can occupy a quantum state equal to one and zero at the same time and adopting only one. a value defined during the measurement.

Atos can simulate quantum computers with 42 cubits. For that, you need 48 terabytes of RAM. For each additional cubit, the RAM doubles, which creates problems very quickly. "The promise of quantum computing is very powerful and billions of euros in investments are being transferred, but there is still no proof of concept," lamented Bosman.

And, for there to be a useful quantum computer, many factors have to work in parallel. Refrigeration, quantum processor, wiring, electronics. Not to mention the software that controls all this. This last element would be responsible for translating a technical or commercial problem into mathematical terms that the quantum computer could exploit, pbading through a real controller to the quantum processor so that it can fulfill its function.

From simple parts to a complex system

Bosman makes a comparison that helps to understand this process: "We use software, for example Adobe Photoshop, which runs on an operating system such as Microsoft, which in turn runs on a system built into the computer., Dell-, which contains an Intel processor and all the important peripheral hardware to operate. "

"Every piece is relatively simple, even cubits," says Chris Monroe, CEO of IonQ, one of the few companies in the world to develop a technology to manage quantum circuits. "It is the most complex system, there are so many interdependent components that the difficulty lies in the optimal functioning of all the parts as a whole"

The conceptual problems of these computers multiply when we try to transfer them into a real environment, in which the use of quantum computing too fragile is a difficult challenge to overcome. "The number of physical systems that can be controlled in a laboratory environment up to the level required to perform the most basic demonstrations of quantum information processing is currently very limited," says Antonio Córcoles, a researcher at IBM. Research.

Your company has presented
IBM Q System One, which they define as the first quantum computer for commercial use. The conditions it requires, however, require that it be located in a special environment, which it plans to open in New York by the end of the year.

"We build our cubits with superconductors," says the scientist. "The operation of these systems requires an extreme level of noise and heat source isolation and we must cool them to temperatures between two and three orders of magnitude below the average temperature of the space. "

Once they have been able to cool them down, the next challenge is to design electronic systems that control room temperature with sufficient dynamic range, low noise, and low latency to handle the doors including algorithms and controls. protocols that these systems can perform.

Like the traditional computer in 1950

The performance of quantum computing on the cloud poses new challenges, such as the need to frequently characterize and calibrate systems and controls due to the inherent low instabilities of these systems and the need to create a stable, long-term cryogenic environment .

"Quantum computing is at a stage of development similar to that of the clbadical computer science of the fifties," summarizes Córcoles. "There are still basic research questions about how these devices work, how to improve them, and how to use them before talking about their mbad production."

Monroe stresses at this stage that public sector support is vitally important. In his opinion, at universities, many researchers and students in science and technology departments are familiar with the use of quantum laws for computing. And in the industrial sectors, very complex areas are managed and experts in system design and quality control are needed for the proper functioning of a project.

"However, universities generally do not build large systems that can be used by others, and in the industry, engineers rarely feel comfortable with the fundamental laws of quantum physics that underlie this technology, "he explains. "Governments can help us by encouraging the union of these two communities or by sponsoring entities that provide quantum education to these professionals."