8 ms·

What's the most significant useful application of quantum computing, in other words, why should we be excited about QC, how will it improve people's lives?

kuschkufan 2y ago
that one dude that has tried since forever to convince that one city to allow him to dig up that garbage dump for his lost bitcoin wallet password should be able to get the coins without digging then. oh and all other passwords/pass phrases/secrets might get broken too, if they're not yet based on quantum save algos.
n4r9 2y ago
If we extend the definition of "computing" slightly to include "coding and cryptography", then I find superdense coding quite exciting [0]. In a hypothetical quantum internet we could encode and transmit two classical bits in every qubit, which effectively doubles your bandwidth. There's also quantum key distribution [1]. In principle, quantum theory allows Alice and Bob to establish a shared private key which cannot be broken without breaking the laws of physics. You can chat privately with people secure in the knowledge that not even the NSA can possibly be listening. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdense_coding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdense_coding [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_key_distribution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_key_distribution
- qup 2y ago
  > You can chat privately with people secure in the knowledge that not even the NSA can possibly be listening. Well, from one possible attack vector, anyway. They can still point lasers at your windows.
- fluoridation 2y ago
  >In a hypothetical quantum internet we could encode and transmit two classical bits in every qubit, which effectively doubles your bandwidth. Hmm... What exactly are you transmitting in such a scenario? What's the physical layer protocol? I.e. what are the wires made of and what flows through them?
  - evandrofisico 2y ago
    Photons, most of the current efforts for quantum entanglement pairs transmission is using good old lasers over optical fiber
    - fluoridation 2y ago
      Well, fair enough I suppose. Although a superficial reading would suggest this sort of technology is at least fifty years away from being deployable at opposite ends of a submarine cable to double the capacity without doubling the cable-laying. It reads like it's in the very early experimental stage, where they're barely demonstrating the plausibility, let alone the viability.
      - n4r9 2y ago
        The question was why is quantum computing exciting, not when can we get it.
        fluoridation 2y ago
        The "although" wasn't meant to invalidate it as an example, it was a link between two separate ideas.
- bgnn 2y ago
  Only 2x bandwidth improvement?
mapmeld 2y ago
Chemistry applications, which may be possible using the current or near-future era of quantum computers. It helps to have actual quantum effects to compute with. For example (I am not affiliated with this company and don't know if it works) https://www.quantinuum.com/products-solutions/inquanto https://www.quantinuum.com/products-solutions/inquanto
- rcpt 2y ago
  Next step room temperature super conductor yeah!
alphager 2y ago
Optimization problems like placing trains on a network become computationally viable. We're currently using unoptimal solutions because calculating an optional solution would require way too much time.

kuschkufan 2y ago

that one dude that has tried since forever to convince that one city to allow him to dig up that garbage dump for his lost bitcoin wallet password should be able to get the coins without digging then. oh and all other passwords/pass phrases/secrets might get broken too, if they're not yet based on quantum save algos.

n4r9 2y ago

If we extend the definition of "computing" slightly to include "coding and cryptography", then I find superdense coding quite exciting [0]. In a hypothetical quantum internet we could encode and transmit two classical bits in every qubit, which effectively doubles your bandwidth. There's also quantum key distribution [1]. In principle, quantum theory allows Alice and Bob to establish a shared private key which cannot be broken without breaking the laws of physics. You can chat privately with people secure in the knowledge that not even the NSA can possibly be listening. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdense_coding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdense_coding [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_key_distribution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_key_distribution

qup 2y ago
> You can chat privately with people secure in the knowledge that not even the NSA can possibly be listening. Well, from one possible attack vector, anyway. They can still point lasers at your windows.
fluoridation 2y ago
>In a hypothetical quantum internet we could encode and transmit two classical bits in every qubit, which effectively doubles your bandwidth. Hmm... What exactly are you transmitting in such a scenario? What's the physical layer protocol? I.e. what are the wires made of and what flows through them?
- evandrofisico 2y ago
  Photons, most of the current efforts for quantum entanglement pairs transmission is using good old lasers over optical fiber
  - fluoridation 2y ago
    Well, fair enough I suppose. Although a superficial reading would suggest this sort of technology is at least fifty years away from being deployable at opposite ends of a submarine cable to double the capacity without doubling the cable-laying. It reads like it's in the very early experimental stage, where they're barely demonstrating the plausibility, let alone the viability.
    - n4r9 2y ago
      The question was why is quantum computing exciting, not when can we get it.
      - fluoridation 2y ago
        The "although" wasn't meant to invalidate it as an example, it was a link between two separate ideas.
bgnn 2y ago
Only 2x bandwidth improvement?

mapmeld 2y ago

Chemistry applications, which may be possible using the current or near-future era of quantum computers. It helps to have actual quantum effects to compute with. For example (I am not affiliated with this company and don't know if it works) https://www.quantinuum.com/products-solutions/inquanto https://www.quantinuum.com/products-solutions/inquanto

rcpt 2y ago
Next step room temperature super conductor yeah!

alphager 2y ago

Optimization problems like placing trains on a network become computationally viable. We're currently using unoptimal solutions because calculating an optional solution would require way too much time.