Quantum Computing – A New Era of Computing
With regard to computing power, the thirst for greater speed is never ceasing. Conventional silicon-based computers have their limitations when it comes to solving complex sets of problems. Quantum computing promises to solve such problems many magnitudes of order faster than traditional computers.
Quantum computing takes advantage of the ability of subatomic particles to exist in more than one state at any time. In classical computers, a bit is a single piece of information that can exist in two states - 0 or 1. Quantum computing uses quantum bits (qubits) that are simultaneously in both states (0 and 1). Further, a single qubit may concurrently perform two calculations, two qubits may perform four, three qubits eight, and so forth, producing exponentially increasing computational speed. Compared to a classical computer, a computer using qubits thus offers a massive increase in computing power and can store an enormous amount of information using less energy.
Quantum computing is still in the early stages of its development. Commercial availability is estimated to be a decade away. The future application areas for quantum computing include artificial intelligence, robotics, cryptography, and drug discovery. Our IP landscape report studies patents that are currently in force, and addresses the technologies and applications related to quantum computing.
