PRODUCER: John Matlock, Kali Madden,
CHAIR: Stephen Pincock
SPEAKERS: Gerard Milburn, Howard Burton, Raymond Laflamme, Andrew White
SESSION REPORT: THE REVOLUTION’S HERE!
by Raphaëlle Derome
Having trouble writing about quantum computing in a simple way? Well, keep working on it, because the quantum revolution is happening, and it’s here to stay, said experts at this session.
At the heart of this revolution is the concept that information is a physical entity, explained Howard Burton, Executive Director of the Perimeter Institute (Canada). “Information has to be stored somewhere, so it has to deal with the basic underlying laws of reality, laws which are different from the classical mechanics that govern the computers of today.”
One useful application of quantum information technology is the secure transmission of information. Thanks to quantum cryptography (also called quantum key distribution), no one can eavesdrop on your transmission without leaving a footprint. “Companies from Geneva, New York and Paris already have quantum cryptography systems on the market,” said University of Queensland professor Gerard Milburn.
Powerful quantum computers will take longer to develop — maybe 10 or 20 years. “For the moment, we can control about 10 quantum bits,” said Raymond Laflamme. Quantum bits (qubits) are the fundamental units of a quantum computer — equivalent to the transistors in today’s computers. “Around 40 or 50 qubits, classical computers will not be able to follow quantum computers anymore.”
Until then, which milestones should journalists look for while covering the quantum quest?
Long-range teleportation, for one. American scientists have already succeeded in emitting a single photon and detecting it from a distance of nearly 150 km… all in broad daylight. “Over the next few years, there will be attempts at transmitting a photon from ground to satellite and back,” predicted Andrew White. The military is especially keen on this because successful transmission would hold the promise for long-range, 100 percent secure communications.
Improved lab devices, such as single-photon light-sources or better light detectors, will give better control of quantum systems.
As for the rest, scientists cannot predict for sure what the current quantum revolution will bring. But they are eager to find out.
raphaelle.derome@gmail.com
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