How does quantum computing work inside?

In the world of constant growth of technology, computers are the protagonists in various environments and tools that we use on a daily basis. Throughout history, there have been times where technology limited the creativity and possibilities of the best inventors.

With the advances in artificial intelligence and the demanding requirements for more advanced and complex research, the need arises to increase the performance and power of computers. Computers, in general, have been defined by binary language (with information in bits in 1's and 0's). With this we could execute any programmed task, and they were the solution for any minimally technological implementation. But as we have mentioned, there are limits.

In this case physical. Today we will see how they have been surpassed by a new implementation in the computing world, with an exponential calculation capacity and immense potential, which opens the doors to new research methods and uses. The Quantum computing.

We will understand the basics.

How CPU works?

The processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) is responsible for carrying out the instructions and calculation and processing tasks of the different components of the computer. It is composed of the Control Unit, the ALU and the input and output loops.

This component processes each task into bits of information, which can take the form of 1 or 0, depending on needs. Same for your results. The bits alter their state through logic gates and transistors. Each character, number, pixel,... can be interpreted by 1's and 0's.

The speed of a processors is measured in cycles per second, or Hz. For reference, 1 GHz is 1,000,000,000 cycles per second.

At a certain point, transistors become so small (14 nm) that they are affected by quantum properties. As with electrons, they can vary their position through the Tunneling Effect.

Why is it called quantum?

The quantum world is very different from the physical one we observe. And these kinds of problems represent that physical limit for computers. So how can we take advantage of these properties?

Quantum is the area of physics that studies the phenomena and behavior of the "small" (just as relativism studies the behavior of the "large").

In this field, particles behave like waves. When trying to determine its position, we cannot obtain a specific point, but rather the most probable position along a distribution.

The probability to find the position can be defined by calculating the Wave Function, created by Schrödinger. If we decide to study that position, the particle is in several places in said distribution at the same time. Known as Quantum superposition.

Once we understand the operation of an information bit and the properties of the quantum world, we will explain their relationship in quantum computing.

In a quantum computer, the unit of information is qubits. These can take the form of any value (1 or 0), but unlike bits, they do not have to be in the form of 1 or 0, but can be in both states at the same time. How is it possible?

Superposition is the property of a quantum element to have 2 or more values simultaneously. Values such as position, state, shape, etc...

The qubit maintains this superposition state as long as it is not observed, as occurs with the Double Slit Experiment or Schrödinger's Cat. Once its behavior is analyzed and observed, the qubit state will "collapse" in the form of 1 or 0, depending on suits.

We will abstract this information to computer applications. For example: 2 bits give rise to 4 combinations: 11, 10, 01, 00. of which we can choose only one of them.

In the case of 2 QUBITS, we can choose any of the 4 combinations, since they can take any shape. This scales mathematically, giving rise to billions of possible simultaneous combinations.

A curious property they possess is quantum entanglement. When 2 qubits are entangled, by observing one of them, we can directly identify the shape of the other without needing to analyze it as well.

Unlike conventional logic gates for bits, qubits require a Quantum Gate. A system that manipulates the input of superpositions, analyzes the probabilities to define the most convenient (probable) shape, and extracts another superposition as a result.

In conclusion, it allows us to perform a large number of calculations with all possible combinations at the same time.

It should be said that it is not a technology applicable to everything. While for some uses it is excessive or gives inconclusive results, for other causes it saves a considerable amount of time, energy and performance.

Like all advanced technologies, there are also entities that put them to evil uses. Such great computing power can decrypt passwords and keys much faster. One implementation may be entanglement decoding, to find out characters or values, knowing only a part of them.

Quantum computing is a technology that has emerged as an evolution of computers, with exponential performance, and that will probably revolutionize many industries. Quantum computers already exist, and we must take responsibility for their potential and the possible applications they may have.