The Quantum Age: What is it and When is it Coming?
Advances in technology have been defined in ages. We all know the Bronze Age which ranged from 3300 BC to about 300 BC depending where you were at the time. As the population grew, these ages became smaller and each age was significantly more advanced than the previous. Presently, we’re experiencing the effect of three major technologies thus putting us in the Atomic, Space, and Information ages starting from around the end of World War II. With technology advancing more rapidly than we could ever imagine, how could we possibly out-do ourselves? Enter the Quantum Age- the future of technology.
What are Quantum Mechanics?
Quantum mechanics is a type of science that deals with the behavior and properties of matter and light on an atomic and subatomic scale. What’s so fascinating is that quantum physics doesn’t quite behave as classical physics -the physics that we interact with- does. The concepts that it’s based on that differ from classical physics are quantization, entanglement, the uncertainty principle, and wave-particle duality.
What does all that mean?
Quantization is the transition of classical fields into ones that can function on quantum fields by way of field theory, which is basically a map of values for each point in space-time.
Entanglement is the phenomenon that when pairs or groups of particles are formed, interact, or share space together, their quantum states can not be described independently of each other even when far apart.
The Uncertainty Principle, created by Werner Heisenberg, is a series of mathematical inequalities that momentum and position can neither be completely precise, which led to the conclusion that one can not simultaneously know both of these properties when examining a molecule.
Wave-particle duality expresses the inability for quantum entities to be described as either particles or waves (like things in classical physics are) but rather as both.
What can we do with Quantum Mechanics in Tech?
Virtually anything! One of the most prevalent applications of Quantum Mechanics is Quantum Computing. Quantum Computing builds on mainly the concepts of quantum entanglement and superposition, which is the concept that a particle is not fully measurable or distinguishable in its state thus allowing it to occupy many or no forms. Quantum Computing uses anything from a photon to a nucleus to take form as a ‘qubit’ or a quantum bit. Bits are what make up the computing world and are known as 1s and 0s. Qubits can work as both 1s and 0s at the same time at different ratios and thus enhance the current computing power that we have.
Quantum Computing can also assist in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning!
This is amazing! Where can I access it?
Unfortunately, there is no commercial quantum supercomputer yet, but companies like Rigetti and IBM are racing to create one. There are some small-scale, cloud-based quantum computing available such as the IBM Q Experience to get some experience coding with qubits. Even when a supercomputer is created, it’s unlikely that it’ll be for public use, as quantum computing has less virtuous applications such as destroying current encryption methods as it can just test different passwords or keys at impressive rates.
When is the Quantum Age coming?
Soon. Quantum Computing is projected to plateau in 5 to 10 years as of August 2018 and right now is beginning to find its footing. The Quantum Age is among us and it has endless possibilities.
