28/08/2024
A quantum computer recently achieved an extraordinary feat by completing 2.6 billion years' worth of computation in just 4 minutes, tackling a problem far beyond the reach of even the most powerful classical supercomputers. This milestone was accomplished by Chinese researchers using their 76-qubit photon-based quantum computer prototype, named Jiuzhang. The device, composed of lasers, mirrors, prisms, and photon detectors, utilizes a method known as Gaussian boson sampling, which involves counting detected photons. Jiuzhang's ability to count 76 photons shattered the previous record of 5 photons, held by classical supercomputers. This achievement is more than just theoretical; Gaussian boson sampling holds potential for practical applications in quantum chemistry, mathematics, and the advancement of large-scale quantum internet. While both quantum and classical computers aim to solve problems, their data processing methods differ fundamentally. Quantum computers leverage principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, enabling them to perform computations far more rapidly than classical counterparts.