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UK scientists have successfully connected two separate Quantum processorsProceeding the road to a as an internet And, potentially, quantum supercomputers.
Increasing the number of quantum bits (otherwise known as cubes) in a the quantity of the computer It has proven to be a challenge as quantum computers are “noisy” – they are sensitive to any disturbance of heat, movement or electromagnetism and fail much more often than bits in classic calculations.
The more cubes there are in the quantum computer, the more complicated the system becomes and the greater the risk of decoherency – the loss of quantum information – and the resources needed to prevent errors. That is why scientists focus on building more reliable cubes before scathing systems to the millions of cubes needed for real Quantum computerS
In a study published February 5 at the Nature magazine, scientists have suggested that this scales problem work, connecting individual quantum processors together, using existing optical wiring, thus increasing the number of cubes available.
This is an important step in demonstrating the feasibility of distributed quantum calculations (DQC), whereby quantum processors are connected together to carry out calculations. DQC would allow multiple quantum processors to work together to solve increasingly complex problems in a lot of time than classic supercomputers would be needed.
Scientists have described how they connect two quantum processors – called Alice and Bob (not to be confused with the quantum computer company Alice & Bob) using a photo network interface (optical fibers). Sending quantum algorithms to the photonic network interface allowed the two quantum processors to share resources and work as a whole.
Distributed calculations of the future
By connecting the two processors such as this, scientists can also transmit photons, along with quantum information and for the first time a quantum algorithm. Such algorithms are computing functions that allow quantum computers to solve problems. They were shared by using the quantum tangling between photons.
Quantum processors can also work together on the test problem using the Grover Search Algorithm – a quantum algorithm that is designed to find a “needle in hay”; Search for certain information in a large pool of unsorted data.
This breakthrough is crucial for drilling the problem of scanning in quantum calculations. Instead of a machine containing millions of cubes, which would be massive and incredible, the new technique allows calculations distributed in much smaller processors. Using small modules of buy-ion cubes connected to optical cables, it allows the cubes to be tangled in separate QPU.
An additional advantage of connecting processors in the DQC system is the ease of maintenance, as the modules can be upgraded or replaced without disturbing the rest of the system.
As there were only 6.6 feet (2 meters) between the two Quantum processing (QPU), future tests of this technology will need to expand the working distance to ensure that the connection remains stable at much longer distances. Quantum repeatrators that increase the range above which quantum information can be transmitted can also be included in future systems.
Adding more quantum processors will provide further proof that DQC will be a viable solution for building quantum supercomputers. In the same way that today’s supercomputers are hundreds of classic processors connected together, it is theoretically possible to create a quantum supercomputer by connecting quantum processors over huge distances.
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As evidence of a concept, the experiment proved that DQC was viable. It also creates the foundations of a secure quantum internet, which can allow a more secure method of transmitting information, as quantum processors in different places can be used to build a secure communication network.
In a statement, David LucasThe chief researcher of the research team and the leading scientist for the Quantum Center for Calculations and Simulation of the United Kingdom has said that “the team experiment shows that the quantum information processing is feasible with this technology.”
Lucas, however, admitted that a lot of work should be done before quantum computers for practical applications were available.
“The scanning of quantum computers remains a huge technical challenge that will probably require new physics data as well as intensive engineering efforts in the coming years,” he said.