The fight to see who launched the first quantum computer in history already has a brand new winner. IBM has unveiled the first quantum computer for commercial use, called IBM Q System One. A quantum computer that it claims will be able to perform extremely complex operations that we don't even dream of now. A before and after in the history of technology.
To quantum infinity and beyond
The classic computing system that we use in our computers today is based on the bit. The bit, in computing, is the minimum unit of information that can contain two values, or 1 or 0. Each value is associated with one state or another, for example, on and off or open and closed. What about quantum computing? Well, it doesn't work with transistors but with quantum particles. And this assumes that these particles can contain 1, 0 and both values at the same time . This is based on the same theory as Schrodinger's cat. The minimum unit of information in quantum computing is the qubit, qubit or quantum bit. So we went from 'if it does this it produces this' from classical computing (of zeros and ones) to the multiplication of possible states.
On the 8th, IBM presented the first quantum integrated universal computing computer designed for commercial and scientific purposes. Among the future applications that this first quantum computing computer may have, we find new ways of handling financial data on a large scale , isolating risk factors in order to make better investments or to find new ways to speed up the deliveries of goods and products of global form.
Key features of the new IBM Q System One
As we can see in classic computers, the new IBM Q System One combines multiple components in a closed body to work together to achieve the most advanced cloud-based quantum computing program in history, including:
- Quantum hardware specially designed to be stable, providing high-quality , repeatable and predictable qubits .
- Cryogenization engineering that gives the team an isolated quantum environment and continuous cold.
- High precision electronics to handle large amounts of qubits.
- Quantum firmware to manage the state of the system and allow the updating of its files without impairing the efficiency of the user who is using said system.
- Ability to alternate classical and quantum computing to provide secure access to the cloud as well as hybrid execution of quantum algorithms.
IBM has been able to achieve this technological milestone with a team of renowned industrial designers, architects and manufacturers working side by side with IBM Research's own scientists and system engineers . Together they have managed to create the first quantum system to integrate thousands of components in the same place, hermetic and closed in glass.
This system has, as its main purpose, the continuous maintenance of the quality of the qubits to perform quantum calculations. Some qubits that progressively lose their quantum properties. The design of the equipment includes a 2.7 meter wide and high borosilicate glass case about 12 millimeters thick, forming an airtight housing that, however, can be opened effortlessly thanks to a motor driven rototranslation system around two offset axes. This simplifies system maintenance and upgrading while minimizing downtime.
Quantum computers have already arrived to take charge of inordinately complex operations , the tip of the iceberg of a whole new world that is yet to come and of which we will inform you properly here.