Quantum computing has come a long way since its inception, with key milestones shaping its progress over the years. In the 1980s, the concept of quantum computers was born, thanks to physicist Paul Benioff’s groundbreaking work on a quantum version of a Turing machine. This laid the foundation for the field of quantum computing as we know it today.
In 1981, physicist Richard Feynman popularized quantum computing with his keynote speech on using computers to simulate physics. This speech kick-started interest in quantum computing as a discipline. Fast forward to 1994, mathematician Peter Shor introduced a quantum algorithm that could efficiently factorize large numbers, showcasing the practical applications of quantum computers.
The year 1999 saw the birth of the superconducting quantum computer, a pivotal moment in quantum computing history. This approach, using superconducting circuits to create qubits, has become a popular choice for leading quantum computing companies like Google and IBM. In 2011, the first commercially available quantum computer was released by D-Wave, marking the beginning of the quantum computing industry.
IBM made a significant move in 2016 by making its five-qubit processor available over the cloud, allowing more people to experiment with quantum computing. This accessibility paved the way for more hands-on experience with quantum computers. In 2019, Google claimed “quantum supremacy” by performing a calculation that would take a classical supercomputer 10,000 years in just 200 seconds. This achievement was a major milestone for quantum computing.
However, in 2022, IBM challenged Google’s claim of quantum supremacy, highlighting the ongoing debate in the field. A group from the Chinese Academy of Sciences demonstrated a classical algorithm that could simulate Google’s quantum operations in a fraction of the time. This back and forth between classical and quantum computing shows that there is still much room for improvement in both fields.
Looking towards the future, in 2023, QuEra made a significant breakthrough by generating 48 logical qubits at once, a tenfold increase from previous achievements. This milestone brings us closer to fault-tolerant quantum computing, overcoming the challenges posed by errors in quantum hardware.
As quantum computing continues to evolve, these key moments in its history have shaped the field and paved the way for future advancements. With researchers pushing the boundaries of what is possible, the future of quantum computing looks promising, with endless possibilities for innovation and discovery.
