Quantum computing-Applications and career

is quantum computing a good career

Introduction

Quantum Computing is the branch of science that collectively deals with properties of quantum states such as superposition and entanglement to perform calculations. The devices that are used to perform such computations are called quantum computers. 

Quantum computers are believed to be capable of performing several computational problems like integer factorization, which is also the concept that RSA encryption is based on. Quantum computers are believed to be able to solve these complex problems much faster and more accurately than classical computers.

Quantum computers are expected to soon become more mainstream and be used outside laboratories and in the fields like pharmaceuticals, etc.

History

Quantum computing was first developed in 1980 when a quantum mechanical model of the famous Turing machine was proposed by physicist Paul Benioff. 

‘The Turing Machine’ was developed by British mathematician Alan Turing in 1936. The machine is a mathematical computation model. It is an abstract machine of a simple design, however, capable of constructing any given computer algorithm’s logic. The machine was built to decode the secret messages that were transmitted by the German government, which they had created by using encryption machines called ‘The Enigma’. 

It was later suggested by physicists Richard Feynman and Yuri Manin that quantum computers can potentially simulate problems that classical computers were incapable of. 

Quantum computing today

In recent years with the increase in investments in the fields of quantum computing research, both in public and private sectors Quantum Computing has become not just a field of research but also a legitimate career.

Quantum computing plays a role in several operations like encryption and decryption, development of AI technology, and space and aeronautical programs. Quantum computing, which was considered to be unrealistic by many scientists is developing today at an exponential speed and leading us towards a new lifestyle. 

Types of quantum computers:

Quantum computers or Quantum computing systems are of several kinds. These include the following.

  • Quantum Circuit Model
  • Quantum Adiabatic computer
  • Quantum cellular automata
  • Quantum Turing Machine
  • Quantum one-way computer, etc.

The most widely used of these computer types is the quantum circuit model, which is based on the qubit or quantum bit. Qubit is akin to the bit in classical computers. A qubit can be in either of the two quantum states, 1 or 0 or a superposition of 1 and 0 quantum states, however, the superposition state is not measured and the state is always 0 or 1 on measurement.

Applications and potential career fields:

Several possible applications of quantum computing also offer an outstanding opportunity to not only create a revolutionary technology through research and study but also in several existing fields that scientists and researchers can explore further and flourish in.

Some of these applications are as follows.

  • Cryptography
  • Problem-solving
  • Quantum System Simulation
  • Quantum Annealing
  • Adiabatic Optimization
  • Computational Biology
  • Machine learning
  • Quantum supremacy
  1. Cryptography: Quantum computing through integer factorization is used to tackle cryptographic systems. The first example of this is the Turing Machine, an abstract machine that was used to decrypt the German transmitted messages, that were developed by using cryptographic machines. These codes were thought to be uncrackable until the Turing Machine came to be. 

Many popular public ciphers are based on integer factorization. Some of such public key ciphers are: 

  • RSA
  • Elliptic curve
  • Diffie-Hellman

These algorithms are designed and used to protect webpages, emails, encrypted information, and several classified information of the government and the military. 

Through quantum cryptography, cryptographic systems can be made more secure against quantum hacking. 

  1. Problem Searching: This application deals with the problems that can be solved using Grover’s Algorithm. Such problems have certain properties to them like, having no structure in the pool of potential outcomes, the number of possible outcomes is equal to the number of inputs into the algorithm, and the presence of a Boolean function to evaluate the inputs and determine the solution.

For running such problems through Grover’s algorithm on a quantum computer, the running time is the square root of the total number of inputs, while classical computers take a longer time.

Password Cracker is an example of this application. It is a system that is designed to guess the correct passwords. These programs can be used to easily tackle symmetric ciphers like Triple-DES and AES. 

This application is of major importance in almost all government offices and thus requires trained software engineers to tackle the security threat.

  1. Computational Biology: Computational biology is concerned with dealing with biological problems such as genomics and other calculations that revolve around the computation of DNA, Proteins, and Nitrogenous base pairs.  Genetic data modeling and storage are concerned with the same. 

Through quantum computation, these problems can be solved quickly and with higher accuracy.

  1. Machine Learning: quantum computation is expected to aid in the development of algorithms that can speed up the process of machine learning. Quantum machine learning combines the use of quantum algorithms with machine learning, which is the key factor in developing artificial intelligence. 

Machine learning algorithms are developed to prepare training data, to aid machines to make decisions. Robots are being developed around the same technology.

Is quantum computing a good career?

Yes. Quantum computing is a good career. 

Technological Firms such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, etc. have recently shown a rising interest in the field of quantum computing. The companies have put in a great amount of investment and resources in the field to develop a system that will gain their supremacy in the Tech. industry.

Quantum Computing is a good field to establish a career in today, considering the number of companies that are showing interest in the field and investing large dollars in the research and development of quantum computing. 

Quantum Computing as mentioned above is concerned with the development of highly secure algorithms that can protect the information on the systems from getting hacked. This is a major reason why there has been a great rise in the demand of engineers and physicists with degrees or knowledge of quantum states, by several corporations in the US as well as globally. 

The use of quantum computing is not limited to technology firms but is of great significance in other corporates such as banks, investment firms, engineering firms, and also government offices to provide security to their files and information.

These companies invest infinite amounts of money in individuals talented in the field or smaller companies that provide quantum computing services. 

FAQs
  1. What is quantum computing based on?

Quantum computing is based on the characteristics and properties of quantum states and their superposition.

  1. What are the requirements for a career in quantum computing?

The individuals seeking careers in quantum computing must possess educational degrees and interests in the field. They can be qualified engineers or trained physicists. 

  1. What are some potential careers in quantum computing?

Among other opportunities, the more popular career opportunities in quantum computing are Quantum Machine Learning and Quantum Cryptography.

Quantum computing-Applications and career

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