Jian-Wei Pan: The next quantum breakthrough will happen in five years – EL PAS in English
Any leap in quantum computing multiplies the potential of a technology capable of performing calculations and simulations that are beyond the scope of current computers while facilitating the study of phenomena that have been only theoretical to date.
Last year, a group of researchers put forward the idea in the journal Nature that an alternative to quantum theory based on real numbers can be experimentally falsified. The original proposal was a challenge that has been taken up by the leading scientist in the field, Jian-Wei Pan, with the participation of physicist Adn Cabello, from the University of Seville. Their combined research has demonstrated the indispensable role of complex numbers [square root of minus one, for example] in standard quantum mechanics. The results allow progress to be made in the development of computers that use this technology and, according to Cabello, to test quantum physics in regions that have previously been inaccessible.
Jian-Wei Pan, 51, a 1987 graduate of the Science and Technology University of China (USTC) and a PhD graduate of Vienna University, leads one of the largest and most successful quantum research teams in the world, and has been described by physics Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek as a force of nature. Jian-Wei Pans thesis supervisor at the University of Vienna, physicist Anton Zeilinger, added: I cannot imagine the emergence of quantum technology without Jian-Wei Pan.
Pans leadership in the research has been fundamental. The experiment can be seen as a game between two players: real-valued quantum mechanics versus complex-valued quantum mechanics, he explains. The game is played on a quantum computer platform with four superconducting circuits. By sending in random measurement bases and measuring the outcome, the game score is obtained which is a mathematical combination of the measurement bases and outcome. The rule of the game is that the real-valued quantum mechanics is ruled out if the game score exceeds 7.66, which is the case in our work.
Covered by the scientific journal Physical Review Letters, the experiment was developed by a team from USTC and the University of Seville to answer a fundamental question: Are complex numbers really necessary for the quantum mechanical description of nature? The results exclude an alternative to standard quantum physics that uses only real numbers.
According to Jian-Wei Pan: Physicists use mathematics to describe nature. In classical physics, a real number appears complete to describe the physical reality in all classical phenomenon, whereas a complex number is only sometimes employed as a convenient mathematical tool. However, whether the complex number is necessary to represent the theory of quantum mechanics is still an open question. Our results disprove the real-number description of nature and establish the indispensable role of a complex number in quantum mechanics.
Its not only of interest regarding excluding a specific alternative, Cabello adds, the importance of the experiment is that it shows how a system of superconducting qubits [those used in quantum computers] allows us to test predictions of quantum physics that are impossible to test with the experiments we have been carrying out until now. This opens up a very interesting range of possibilities, because there are dozens of fascinating predictions that we have never been able to test, since they require firm control over several qubits. Now we will be able to test them.
According to Chao-Yang Lu, of USTC and co-author of the experiment: The most promising near-term application of quantum computers is the testing of quantum mechanics itself and the study of many-body systems.
Thus, the discovery provides not only a way forward in the development of quantum computers, but also a new way of approaching nature to understand the behavior and interactions of particles at the atomic and subatomic level.
But, like any breakthrough, the opening of a new way forward generates uncertainties. However, Jian-Wei Pan prefers to focus on the positive: Building a practically useful fault-tolerant quantum computer is one of the great challenges for human beings, he says. I am more concerned about how and when we will build one. The most formidable challenge for building a large-scale universal quantum computer is the presence of noise and imperfections. We need to use quantum error correction and fault-tolerant operations to overcome the noise and scale up the system. A logical qubit with higher fidelity than a physical qubit will be the next breakthrough in quantum computing and will occur in about five years. In homes, quantum computers would, if realized, be available first through cloud services.
According to Cabello, when quantum computers are sufficiently large and have thousands or millions of qubits, they will make it possible to understand complex chemical reactions that will help to design new drugs and better batteries; perform simulations that lead to the development of new materials and calculations that make it possible to optimize artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms used in logistics, cybersecurity and finance, or to decipher the codes on which the security of current communications is based.
Quantum computers, he adds, use the properties of quantum physics to perform calculations. Unlike the computers we use, in which the basic unit of information is the bit [which can take two values], in a quantum computer, the basic unit is the quantum bit, or qubit, which has an infinite number of states.
Cabello goes on to say that the quantum computers built by companies such as Google, IBM or Rigetti take advantage of the fact that objects the size of a micron and produced using standard semiconductor-manufacturing techniques can behave like qubits.
The goal of having computers with millions of qubits is still a long way off, since most current quantum computers, according to Cabello, only have a few qubits and not all of them are good enough. However, the results of the Chinese and Spanish teams research make it possible to expand the uses of existing computers and to understand physical phenomena that have puzzled scientists for years.
For example, Google Quantum AI has published the observation of a time crystal through the Sycamore quantum processor for the first time in the Nature journal. A quantum time crystal is similar to a grain of salt composed of sodium and chlorine atoms. However, while the layers of atoms in that grain of salt form a physical structure based on repeating patterns in space, in the time crystal the structure is configured from an oscillating pattern. The Google processor has been able to observe these oscillatory wave patterns of stable time crystals.
This finding, according to Pedram Roushan and Kostyantyn Kechedzhi, shows how quantum processors can be used to study new physical phenomena. Moving from theory to actual observation is a critical leap and is the basis of any scientific discovery. Research like this opens the door to many more experiments, not only in physics, but hopefully inspires future quantum applications in many other fields.
In Spain, a consortium of seven companies Amatech, BBVA bank, DAS Photonics, GMV, Multiverse computing, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech and Repsol and five research centers Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Tecnalia and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) have launched a new project called CUCO to apply quantum computing to Spanish strategic industries: energy, finance, space, defense and logistics.
Subsidized by the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and with the support of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the CUCO project, is the first major quantum computing initiative in Spain in the business field and aims to advance the scientific and technological knowledge of quantum computing algorithms through public-private collaboration between companies, research centers and universities. The goal is for this technology to be implemented in the medium-term future.
English version by Heather Galloway.
See the rest here:
Jian-Wei Pan: The next quantum breakthrough will happen in five years - EL PAS in English
- Analyzing Quantum Computing Has Been The Most Challenging Project In My Career (NASDAQ:QUBT) - Seeking Alpha - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Norma and Mabel Quantum Partner to Launch Integrated Quantum Computing System in Korea - Quantum Computing Report - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- How Microsoft and Partners are Shaping the Future of Quantum Computing - The Quantum Insider - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- One Quantum Computing ETF to Buy Hand Over Fist as Googles Willow Supercharges the Market - Barchart - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- MicroCloud Hologram Inc. Develops Semiconductor Quantum Dot Hole Spin Qubit Technology, Advancing the Frontiers of Quantum Computing - Yahoo Finance - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Quantum Applications in the Automotive Industry - Quantum Computing Report - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Jim Cramer Warns 'Day Is Not Near Enough To Justify The Current Valuations' Of Quantum Computing, Nuclear Power Stocks - Benzinga - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- MicroCloud Hologram's Stock Surges 31% on Quantum Computing Breakthrough: What This Means for the Future of Tech - The Africa Logistics - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Stocks Like Rigetti Computing Are Soaring And This ETF Lets Investors Participate In The Boom Story - Benzinga - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Future Industry Growth Of Commercial Quantum Computing - openPR - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- GCAN to Explore Strategic Alternatives in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing - GlobeNewswire - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Jim Cramer talks being cautious with nuclear power and quantum computing stocks - MSN - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Is Finally Here. But What Is It? - Bloomberg - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Should You Buy Quantum Computing Stocks in 2025? - The Motley Fool - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Rigetti Stock Doubles in Days: Here's the Quantum Computing Stock's Next Target - Money Morning - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks Surging to End the Year - Schaeffers Research - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Advances in 2024 Put Security In Spotlight - Dark Reading - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Daejeon City Partners with Norma and National Nanofab Center to Advance Quantum Computing - Quantum Computing Report - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Why IonQ Is the Best Quantum Computing Stock to Buy Right Now - The Motley Fool - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Singapore Startup's Quantum Controller Aimed at Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Quantum Computing - The Quantum Insider - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- 2 Quantum Computing Stocks Poised for Big Gains: Get Their Price Targets Here - Money Morning - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- SCIENCE NOTEBOOK | More Efficient Quantum Computing, Aggressive Lowering of BP of Type 2 Diabetes Patients, and Heat-Related Mortality Due to Climate... - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Rigetti Computing leads quantum stocks higher to end week - Seeking Alpha - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Stock QUBT Has More Than Doubled While Bitcoin Has Dropped Since Google's 'Willow' Reveal: What Does This Mean? - Benzinga - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Three Ways Nvidia (NVDA) Benefits From The Quantum Computing Revolution - Yahoo Finance - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Quantum Stocks: Avoid Rigetti Computing And Buy IonQ Instead (NYSE:IONQ) - Seeking Alpha - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- SEALSQ Secures $60.0 Million in Total Funding to Advance Post-Quantum Cryptography Semiconductor Technology - Quantum Computing Report - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Shares Soar! Investors Eye the Future. - Jomfruland.net - December 27th, 2024 [December 27th, 2024]
- What Googles quantum computing breakthrough Willow means for the future of bitcoin and other cryptos - CNBC - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum computing will fortify Bitcoin signatures: Adam Back - Cointelegraph - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum Computing: The New AI? A Look at the Rapidly Expanding Market and Top Stocks For 2025 - Benzinga - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) Riding High on the Quantum Computing Tide - TipRanks - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum Computing, BlackBerry And Lucid Group Are Among Top Mid Cap Gainers Last Week (December 16-20): Are The Others In Your Portfolio? - Benzinga - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum computing stocks are having a great 2024: QUBT, D-Wave, Rigetti soar on enthusiasm for the cutting-edge tech - Fast Company - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- IBMs stock could ride the coattails of the quantum-computing rally. Heres how. - MarketWatch - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Stock Skyrockets Further on NASA Contract - Investopedia - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Is the Quantum Computing Stock Rally Over So Soon? - TipRanks - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum computing stocks mixed as eye-popping rally slows a bit - Seeking Alpha - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Bitcoin would need over 300 days of downtime to adequately defend itself from the 'imminent' threat of quantum computing, research finds - Fortune - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Rigetti Stock Investors: Here's What You Need to Know About This Quantum Computing Stock - The Motley Fool - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- 2 Top Stocks in Quantum Computing and Robotics That Could Soar in 2025 - Yahoo Finance - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- New day dawns for quantum computing in the UK - physicsworld.com - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- What's Going On With Quantum Computing (QUBT) Stock? - Benzinga - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Stock Investors: Here's What You Need to Know - The Motley Fool - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Is Coming And Lawyers Arent Ready - Above the Law - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- 2024: The Year of Quantum Computing Roadmaps - Quantum Computing Report - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- The Future is Here. Unlocking the Mysteries of Quantum Computing. - Qhubo - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- 2 Top Stocks in Quantum Computing and Robotics That Could Soar in 2025 - The Motley Fool - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum walk computing unlocks new potential in quantum science and technology - MSN - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Investing in the Future of Quantum Computing: Stocks to Watch Now - MarketBeat - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Inches Closer to Reality After Another Google Breakthrough - The New York Times - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- How Google's Willow is A Quantum Leap in Computing Tech - Technology Magazine - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Google claims quantum computing milestone but the tech can't solve real-world problems yet - CNBC - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Ten septillion years: Google makes another quantum computing breakthrough - Semafor - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- BMW Group and Airbus reveal winners of Quantum Computing Challenge - BMW Press - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- The Race for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing: Unveiling the Next Leap | by Disruptive Concepts | Dec, 2024 - Medium - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Can the Rally in Alphabet (GOOGL) Stock Continue with New Quantum Computing Chip? - Yahoo Finance - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Unlocking the Full Power of Quantum Computing With a Revolutionary Superconducting Processor - SciTechDaily - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- What Googles Willow chip means for the future of quantum computing, AI, and encryption - The Indian Express - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Think AI Is Baffling? Heres How to Pretend You Understand Quantum Computing. - Barron's - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Google revealed quantum computing chip. Is Bitcoin threatened? - crypto.news - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Quantum Computing Expected to be a Better Fit for Weather Forecasting as Latest Innovation is Changing the Industry - GlobeNewswire - December 14th, 2024 [December 14th, 2024]
- Why This Quantum Computing Stock Rocketed 142.8% Higher in November - The Motley Fool - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Two Quantum Computing Names Are Exploding as the Sector Catches Fire - TheStreet - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Total Return Breakouts: Palantir, Quantum Computing And Value Investing - Seeking Alpha - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Chicago Wants to Build the Silicon Valley of Quantum Computing - The Wall Street Journal - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- All Three Projects Powered by QuEra Computing Contributions Move to Phase Two of Wellcome Leap's Quantum for Bio Challenge - The Quantum Insider - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- DLR Quantum Computing Initiative Partners with IQM for Materials Science Simulation - Quantum Computing Report - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- One Minute Matters [Video]: Will Quantum Computing Transform the Way We Use AI Technology? (with Diego Freire) - Dykema - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- AWS, NVIDIA Offer Deep Dive Into Their Partnership to Develop Hybrid Quantum Computing - The Quantum Insider - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- How Quantum Computing Will Revolutionize Blockchain Technology in the Future - Medium - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- CDP Venture Capital Invests in Multiverse Computing as Part of Series A Round to Help Boost Multiverses Commercial Presence in Italy - Quantum... - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- U.S. Senators Introduce National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to Secure Quantum Leadership with a $2.7 Billion Investment - Quantum... - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Classiq and AQT Announce Partnership for Seamless Ion-Trap Quantum Integration - Quantum Computing Report - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- AWS and NVIDIA Enable New Quantum-Classical Workflows with CUDA-Q on Amazon Braket - Quantum Computing Report - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Why We Cant Afford to Ignore Quantum Computing, Even if We Dont Completely Understand It - AccessWire - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- "Something the world has never seen before" revolutionary cryo-CMOS transistor thrives in freezing conditions; could be used for scaling... - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Japans Jij Inc. and UKs ORCA Computing Forge Strategic Quantum Computing Partnership - Quantum Computing Report - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- Latest NVIDIA AI, Robotics and Quantum Computing Software Comes to AWS - NVIDIA Blog - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- D-Wave to Showcase Real-World Quantum Computing Applications in Action at Q2B24 Silicon Valley - Business Wire - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]