Archive for the ‘Quantum Computing’ Category

Post-Quantum Satellite Protection Rockets Towards Reality – Dark Reading

Developers of post-quantum cryptography have successfully created a trial, data-transmission channel from Earth to satellites in multiple orbits that would be resistant to the hacking of the future.

The idea is to protect data routed via satellite clusters from being harvested and decrypted by quantum computers and to protect the operational technology communications that keep the arrays functioning. The challenge lies in maintaining resource-intensive, post-quantum protection along multiple hops as a signal is beamed around a cluster, with a data transmission rate that's acceptable for military and commercial real-time communications (and other applications).

During the test, carried out by QuSecure and Accenture, a data-transmission channel protected by both classical RSA-2048 and post-quantum encryption was opened to a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and switched to a higher-altitude geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite, and then beamed back down to Earth.

"As more organizations are increasingly relying on space technology to provide solutions, resiliency, and more relevant information, security of those systems and the data is paramount," said Paul Thomas, space innovation lead for Technology Innovation at Accenture, in a statement.

Once efficient quantum computing becomes a reality, the expectation is that clusters of them will have enough gas in the tank to break RSA-2048 encryption, something that even the most powerful of today's computers are incapable of achieving.

And presumably, when that happens, there will be legions of cybercriminal types pouring out of the woodwork to decrypt the many classified secrets that organizations, governments, and critical infrastructure (including satellite arrays) use to ward off mass operational disruption.

Granted, the timing on that breakthrough remains a moving target, but the satellite test is a step towards prepping for that doomsday scenario. Also, by employing post-quantum encryption now, it can protect against any "steal now, decrypt later" plans on the part of cyberattackers who might be stockpiling encrypted data in anticipation of a literal quantum leap.

"Outer space is getting more crowded and contested every day and providing reliable space-based security is critical in today's global economy," said Tom Patterson, quantum and space security lead at Accenture.

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Post-Quantum Satellite Protection Rockets Towards Reality - Dark Reading

We Asked GPT Some Tech Questions, Can You Tell Which Answers … – TechSpot

ChatGPT and its wordsmith capabilities are all over the news, and for good reason. The large language model (LLM) at the heart of the chatbot can create impressive results, with some even claiming the era of human writers is nearing its end.

While the reality is most likely less catastrophic for us human writers, we must admit that the question of whether AI will end up taking our jobs did pass through our minds once or thrice. So, let's check out whether our readers can spot the difference between a human writer and an AI.

Instead of writing an entire essay and then letting ChatGPT come up with its own version of the same topic, we've decided to compare humans and ChatGPT based on short-form answers to various tech-related questions. We took some answers from TechSpot explainer articles and wrote some additional ones that are less "conceptual" to see what GPT 4.0 came up with.

Each question below features two answers: one made by a human and the other provided by ChatGPT. They're listed randomly on the left and on the right, and it's up to you to spot the difference. Can you tell which is which? You can click the poll below each answer and see how you do.

Before we start, a couple of additional disclaimers: first, this piece is not meant to be a formal experiment, just a fun take on the human vs. AI discussion. Second, if you've used ChatGPT before, then you know the bot is known to spew paragraphs and paragraphs of text, even when you ask basic questions. This is why we had to include an 80-word limit in our prompts; otherwise, the answers generated by ChatGPT would be considerably longer, unnecessarily ballooning this piece.

Let's get started.

Manufacturing processes: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the left. GPT's answer isn't completely accurate.

Throttling: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the left.

OLED and LCD: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the right.

PCIe lanes: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the right. GPT's answer is only partially correct.

Chip binning: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the right.

SATA SSD fit: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the right. GPT's answer is unaware of SATA-to-M.2 adapters even though they are a niche solution.

M.2 SSD to SATA: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the left.

Cryptography: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the right.

Quantum computing: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the left.

Path tracing: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the left. Also, GPT got it wrong this time.

SSD trimming: Which is the human answer?

The human answer is on the right.

So, how did you do? How many answers did you get right (out of 11)?

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We Asked GPT Some Tech Questions, Can You Tell Which Answers ... - TechSpot

A robust quantum memory that stores information in a trapped-ion quantum network – Phys.org

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by Ingrid Fadelli , Phys.org

Researchers at University of Oxford have recently created a quantum memory within a trapped-ion quantum network node. Their unique memory design, introduced in a paper in Physical Review Letters, has been found to be extremely robust, meaning that it could store information for long periods of time despite ongoing network activity.

"We are building a network of quantum computers, which use trapped ions to store and process quantum information," Peter Drmota, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told Phys.org. "To connect quantum processing devices, we use single photons emitted from a single atomic ion and utilize quantum entanglement between this ion and the photons."

Trapped ions, charged atomic particles that are confined in space using electromagnetic fields, are a commonly used platform for realizing quantum computations. Photons (i.e., the particles of light), on the other hand, are generally used to transmit quantum information between distant nodes. Drmota and his colleagues have been exploring the possibility of combining trapped ions with photons, to create more powerful quantum technologies.

"Until now, we have implemented a reliable way of interfacing strontium ions and photons, and used this to generate high-quality remote entanglement between two distant network nodes," Drmota said. "On the other hand, high-fidelity quantum logic and long-lasting memories have been developed for calcium ions. In this experiment, we combine these capabilities for the first time, and show that it is possible to create high-quality entanglement between a strontium ion and a photon and thereafter store this entanglement in a nearby calcium ion."

Integrating a quantum memory into a network node is a challenging task, as the criteria that need to be fulfilled for such a system to work are higher than those required for the creation of a standalone quantum processor. Most notably, the developed memory would need to be robust against concurrent network activity.

"This means that the quantum information stored in the memory must not degrade while a network link is established," Drmota explained. "This requires extreme isolation between the memory and the network, but at the same time, there also needs to be a fast and reliable mechanism that couples the memory to the network when needed." View inside the vacuum chamber, where we trap strontium and calcium ions using electric fields and lasers. Credits: David Nadlinger.

To create their quantum memory, Drmota and his colleagues used two different atomic species, namely strontium and calcium, as this allowed them to minimize crosstalk while establishing a network link. The limited crosstalk in this mixed-species architecture also allowed them to detect errors in real-time and to utilize what is known as in-sequence cooling. Mixed-species entangling gates provided the missing connection between the network and the memory.

"One of the technical error sources that we face with trapped-ion qubits is dephasing due to magnetic field noise," Drmota said. "Nevertheless, calcium-43 features transitions that are insensitive to magnetic fields, eliminating this error, hence boosting their coherence time. While strontium-88 is perfectly suited for generating photons for networking, it is sensitive to magnetic field noise."

Although strontium-88 is known to be sensitive to magnetic field noise, the researchers were able to preserve entanglement between their memory ion and a photon for a longer time, by transferring quantum information from the strontium to calcium in the system. Specifically, they could preserve this entanglement for over 10s, which is at least 1000 times longer than they observed between a bare strontium ion and a photon.

"Furthermore, the strontium ion can be reused to generate further entangled photons, and we show that this process does not affect the fidelity of entanglement between the memory and the previous photon, hence achieving robustness to network activity," Drmota said. "Notably, we managed to integrate the complexity associated with multiple challenging techniques, which have been developed in isolation in different setups over many years, in a single experiment."

In initial tests, the quantum memory created by Drmota and his colleagues achieved very promising results, as it was found to be highly robust, preserving entanglement between a trapped ion and photon for at least 10s. The team's demonstration of this quantum memory could be an important milestone on the ongoing quest to realize distributed quantum information processing.

Using their design, individual quantum computational nodes can be loaded with a given number of processing qubits (i.e., calcium), while the network qubit (i.e., strontium) can then be used to create quantum links between distant modules. Ultimately, this promising quantum memory could pave the way towards the creation of scalable quantum computing systems, as using small modules that can process quantum information and interconnecting them with other modules circumvents the need for large and complex ion traps.

"The robust quantum memory could be used in quantum repeaters, for private (blind) quantum computation, and is key for new developments in quantum communications, metrology and time keeping," Drmota added. "For example, for the nascent field of entangled atomic clocks, the long entanglement storage durations achieved in our experiments will lead to an order-of-magnitude improvement in the precision of frequency comparison between distant clocks."

More information: P. Drmota et al, Robust Quantum Memory in a Trapped-Ion Quantum Network Node, Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.090803.

Journal information: Physical Review Letters

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A robust quantum memory that stores information in a trapped-ion quantum network - Phys.org

House Bill Aims to Apply Quantum Tech to Agriculture – MeriTalk

Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, and Haley Stevens, D-Mich., have introduced new legislation that aims to apply the power of quantum computing to assist the agriculture industry and streamline fertilizer production.

The Quantum in Practice Act would introduce quantum molecular simulations and modeling to allow experts to study fertilizer chemical elements and reactions with accuracy.

From fertilizer production to materials manufacturing, quantum computing has the untapped potential to lower input costs for our farmers, improve energy storage, and produce more effective medications for patients, Rep. Feenstra said in a press release.

Im proud to introduce the Quantum in Practice Act to ensure that our main streets, farmers, and small businesses can realize the real benefits of quantum computing, not just in theory, but in practice, he added. Thanks to scientific ingenuity, there is boundless opportunity for our rural communities to harness the power of quantum computing to strengthen our agricultural sector, streamline fertilizer production, and enhance our way of life in the 4th District.

Rep. Feenstra originally introduced a version of this bill in 2022. According to the press release, quantum computing can model the nitrogen fixation process utilized by bacteria, which could be used to develop cheaper, next-generation synthetic fertilizers.

In addition to assisting the agriculture industry with streamlining fertilizer production, the members of Congress said potential scientific discoveries could also help produce safer medicines, energy storage, new metals, protective gear, and superconductors.

Original cosponsors of the legislation include: House Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and Reps. Young Kim, R-Calif., Jake Ellzey, R-Texas, Rick Crawford, R-Ark., Byron Donalds, R-Fla., Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Rudy Yakym, R-Ind., Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., Tom Kean, R-N.J., Joseph Neguse, D-Colo., and Jeff Jackson, D-N.C.

Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Quantum simulations are able to model interactions at the sub-molecular level and create a cost-effective alternative to the expensive development of new fertilizers, medications, protective equipment, and more, said Sen. Young.

As we secure our competitive advantage in the 21st?century, we must support the cutting-edge research that will revolutionize Indianas agriculture and pharmaceutical industries, he added. The Quantum in Practice Act would help ensure that American researchers and industries can pursue practical applications to advance quantum technologies.

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House Bill Aims to Apply Quantum Tech to Agriculture - MeriTalk

From the Future: Quantum Computing // The Observer – Observer Online

The advent of the computer in the 20th century brought an explosion of innovation, productivity and economic development. But so-called classical computers are limited by their physical properties, and have seen a relative deceleration in technological progress in recent years. However, a new generation of computers leveraging phenomena from quantum physics promises exponentially greater power that, at least in certain areas, can enable a new era of transformative innovation. In this edition of From the Future, three Notre Dame researchers give their perspectives on the powers and applications of quantum computers, describe the cutting-edge research they are conducting and consider the future of quantum computing here on campus.

Zhiding Liang, PhD student, Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Zhiding Liang, PhD student in computer science and engineering, did his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering and is trained in the world of classical devices and circuits.

However, in pursuing graduate education, Liang decided to take a leap into quantum computing, a field he thinks has great potential.

Liang explained that the potential of quantum computing lies in the basic processing unit for these systems: the quantum bit, or the qubit. Classical binary computer transistors can only be in one of two states, zero or one, representing off or on switches for electrical signals. Leveraging quantum properties, qubits can represent zero or one, or any proportion of zero and one at the same time a phenomenon called superposition.

Superposition enables quantum computers to wield immense computational power since the amount of information a system can process grows exponentially with each additional qubit.

However, quantum computers have limitations. In terms of hardware, qubits are incredibly fragile devices. To maintain a state of superposition, qubits require particular environmental conditions (temperature, noise, etc.). If such conditions are not maintained, qubits could experience decoherence, or losing their power of superposition, and, in effect, devolving into classical binary bits.

Liang focuses on solving problems on the software side of things. His research looks at ways to optimize quantum computer architecture to improve the performance of algorithms. The difficulty of maintaining superposition and avoiding decoherence often limits the time in which quantum computation is possible. So, decreasing the latency of these systems (the time it takes to send data) is important for making quantum computers usable.

When he isnt programming quantum computers, Liang works on a different kind of programming: educational lectures about quantum computing for fellow students.

As an electrical engineer, Liang came to quantum computing without background knowledge in physics, which is necessary even for software-focused researchers like himself.

Liang said that his first semester as a PhD student involved extensive studies outside of class to get up to speed on fundamental physics concepts. This was frustrating due to the lack of resources online and even from other universities.

Liang was inspired to create the Quantum Computer System Lecture Series to make the transition to quantum computing easier for students like himself who do not have a physics background.

I think theres not enough open source resources online, Liang said. I hope to offer a platform to let students who are interested in quantum computing have a pathway to get in touch with this area.

The lecture series has featured 33 talks from quantum computing students and researchers from around the world. Topics range from introductions to basic quantum concepts to state-of-the art research outcomes.

Liang hopes that his lecture series will spark interest in quantum computing at Notre Dame. He recognizes that this field can be intimidating due to the high knowledge bar and uncertainty about when this technology will arrive. But he is optimistic about quantum computers and the opportunities for Notre Dame and its students.

I want to contribute to building a quantum computing community at Notre Dame, Liang said. Quantum computing is still a really young area. Theres lots of things you can do theres a lot of opportunities.

Mariya Vyushkova, Quantum Computing Research Specialist at the Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, Visiting Scientist at IBM Research

While the quantum community in South Bend is still in its infancy, members of the Notre Dame community are forming connections with some of the worlds premier hubs for quantum computing research.

Dr. Mariya Vyushkova is a quantum computing research specialist with the Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, but she is currently a visiting scientist at IBM Research in San Jose, California studying applications for quantum computing.

Vyushkovas research focuses on the possibilities of using quantum computers for simulations in spin chemistry, a field at the intersection of chemistry and physics that deals with magnetic and spin effects in chemical reactions.

Spin chemistry is closely connected to the development of quantum computers. One type of qubit (called the spin qubit) uses spin chemistry phenomena to create quantum properties like superposition and enable powerful computation.

However, spin chemistry simulations have other practical applications, like studying the manipulation of reactions in biological systems, solar energy technology or organic semiconductors. Overall, Vyushkova said many experts believe that chemistry is the field where quantum computing has the most promising applications and will make the most immediate impact.

In discussing future applications for quantum computing, Vyushkova made a point to clarify a common misconception that quantum computers will replace classical computers.

This is not the case. Even when quantum computers reach their full potential, they will only have an advantage over classical computers for certain applications. And at the moment, for reasons of unreliability and fragility discussed above, quantum computers are no match for classical computers.

However, Vyushkova said that we still need to be quantum ready: i.e., prepared for the day when quantum computers become reliable enough to be used for their unique advantages.

We cannot just sit here and wait for 10 years for the engineers to build an ideal quantum computer, Vyushkova said. We need to learn to use those devices right now.

Vyushkova compared the current state of quantum computers to that of classical computers in the mid-20th century. At that time, computers were huge, slow, noisy, expensive and generally impractical machines. However, early computer scientists were still able to develop techniques and applications so that when the technology became cheaper, faster and more viable, we as a society could leverage computers to the fullest.

Its possible quantum computers would provide a similar advantage [as classical computers have], Vyushkova said. They will never replace classical computers, but in certain fields they are capable of potentially solving problems which are exponentially harder, just unimaginable.

Vyushkova noted that countries like China and Russia are investing significant resources into quantum computing with the belief that this technology will give them a strategic advantage in the future. In this sense, the relatively lower investment into quantum computing in the United States could have serious consequences.

We are at the very beginning; this field is still in its infancy, Vyushkova said. If you miss this opportunity, then you wont be competitive in the future.

Laszlo Forro, Aurora and Thomas Marquez Professor of Physics of Complex Quantum Matter, Director of Stavropoulos Center for Complex Quantum Matter

Back on Notre Dames campus, a new research center aims to provide the physical hardware needed to facilitate the opportunities and applications discussed above.

Located on the fourth floor of the Nieuwland Hall of Science, the Stavropoulos Center for Complex Quantum Matter was established in 2019 as a home for research on new materials for next-generation technologies like quantum computing.

Dr. Laszlo Forro came to Notre Dame from Switzerland in July 2021 to serve as a professor of physics and director of the Stavropoulos Center, bringing a mindset of doing research that leads to practical applications at least eventually.

In this branch of condensed matter physics, the goal is always to do something useful, Forro said. But I believe that every serious research, sooner or later, will be applied. Its just a question of different timescales could be applied in two years, five years or 50.

Quantum computing is one key area of research for the Stavropoulos Center. According to Forro, an important unaddressed issue with quantum computers is longevity: being able to sustain quantum states (i.e., avoid decoherence) long enough to operate the computer and process information.

New quantum materials can help solve this issue. Researchers at the Stavropoulos Center are experimenting with different atomic structures and creating pure materials that can extend the lifetime of quantum states, and therefore improve the usability of quantum. computers.

As noted, quantum computers cant do everything better or faster than a classical computer. However, once quantum materials are improved, Forro sees a multitude of applications for quantum technology. Potential uses include cryptography in banking or data transferring, drug discovery and AI or machine learning research.

Forro also thinks that quantum computing could be a commercially available technology. He suggested that, in the future, we could have USB stick devices that plug into classical computers and enable quantum computation.

However, Forro said that these applications are far off, and there is significant uncertainty about timelines for viable quantum computers. For now, Forrs immediate goals are to expand his team, grow the Stavropoulos center and produce research.

We have hired high-level scientists, and I hope that, based on our performance, we can ask the school to give us a few more positions to extend our research profile and to be more productive, Forro said.

Forro believes that Notre Dame has his back in this effort to build the Stavropoulos Center into a world-class quantum research facility.

If it runs well, I have no doubt that the school will support us to extend the number of [project leaders], Forro said. I have a strategic plan and vision for the center, which is supported by the college of science Dean [Santiago Schnell] and also by the Provost [John McGreevy] today. This is a very nice feeling for me as a director that I will have the full support of the school.

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From the Future: Quantum Computing // The Observer - Observer Online