We are one step closer to quantum computers after the Australian breakthrough

Engineers of the University of New South Wales (Australia) made an important breakthrough that makes quantum computers one step closer to reality.

Feature of quantum computers

The team created a quantum version of the standard computer code in a silicon chip. This breakthrough shows that you can create reliable quantum computers.

Such computers have the potential to solve problems much faster than any existing today. They combine the rules of informatics and the phenomena of quantum mechanics, which are not observed in everyday life. Namely, the principle of superposition, which was popularized by Schrödinger, and entanglement.

The principle of quantum entanglement

The test, conducted in Australia, used the principle of quantum entanglement to run the code. Entangled particles are formed together in a certain order, so that their properties, such as energy and momentum, are connected. If the property is changed to one particle, for example during a measurement, others will also be affected. Changes occur instantaneously, even if the particles are located at opposite ends of the universe, so scientists believe that this may be a violation of the special theory of relativity, according to which information can not move faster than light. Although it has recently been proven that entanglement is a real phenomenon.

The use of quantum behavior adds computational capabilities. This, in a sense, can be called the reason why quantum computers can be more powerful. The same number of bits allows you to write computer code, which contains a lot more words. They can be used to run another algorithm that will achieve the result with fewer steps.

Essence of the experiment

In the course of the experiment, scientists created an entangled state between the phosphorus atom (its core) and one electron in a silicon chip. They form a qubit-quantum element of the computer bit. Scientists have found out that they can be easily controlled and used. In a conventional bit, two states are possible - 0 and 1. Kubit has much more, thanks to quantum mechanics. That is why it is expected that quantum computers will be more powerful than modern computers.

Australian scientists have proven that they can write this code inside a device that resembles silicon chips on modern laptops or mobile phones. This is a real triumph of electrical engineering.