Quantum Computing — The Technology Which Might Change The World

India is working on Quantum Computing technology to change our future. But what is this mysterious technology, anyway?

What Happened?

In her Union Budget 2020 speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the new economy is based on innovations that disrupt established business models. She added that quantum computing is opening up new frontiers in computing, communications and cyber-security with widespread applications. This is why the government proposed to offer an outlay of ₹8,000 crore over a period of five years for the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications.

But, What Is Quantum Computing?

In normal computers, a bit is a single piece of information that can exist in two states (i.e) 1 or 0. But in quantum computing, which uses qubits, information can exist in two states at the same time (i.e) it can be a 0 and 1 at the same.

How Does This Work?

Imagine that you’re trying to crack a 4 digit password. So, if a normal computer tries to find the 4 digit password, it would try different combinations of the 0s and 1s to figure out the password. So the combinations would look like this — 0000, 0101, 0011, 0001, 1010 and so on. A normal computer would try different variations like the above and try to find the correct password. This takes a lot of time and energy.

However, quantum computers make this task a lot easier. As I told you before, information can exist as both 0 and 1 at the same time in quantum computers. So, if you try to crack the same 4 digit password with a quantum computer and use a ‘Grover operator’, it would filter all the wrong passwords and give me the right one. So, what takes a normal computer a long time, would be done within seconds using a quantum computer.

Uses Of Quantum Computing

• Since quantum computers would quickly crack the passwords of many systems, researchers are trying to develop technology that is resistant to quantum hacking. So, if we succeed in developing quantum-based cryptographic systems, it would be safer than their conventional analogues. Imagine your information being tightly sealed and away from the reach of hackers and other tech companies.
• Researchers also hope to use quantum simulations to design completely new molecules for use in medicine.
• Also, quantum computers would come real handy for self-driving cars. At present, if you want to travel from Point A to Point B, Google maps or any other maps will show you the different routes to help you reach your destination. However, quantum computers can look at all the different routes at the same time and give you the best possible route. This will help self-driving cars to reach the destination in the quickest and the most efficient way possible.

In conclusion, these are some of the possible ways in which quantum computers can make our lives easier. If India actually makes a breakthrough in quantum computing, we would see the technology giving a boost to aerospace engineering, numerical weather prediction, simulations, securing the communications & financial transactions, cyber security, advanced manufacturing, health, agriculture, education and other important sectors.

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