Quantum technology is based on the principles of quantum physics which studies matter and energy at the most fundamental level. In this study, the classical laws of physics do not apply. It is the study of the behaviour of the building blocks of nature.
Quantum physics has facilitated innovation and we have got devices and applications such as laser and transistors. Quantum physics has paved the way for quantum computing.
Quantum computers just like classical computers use chips or processors, circuits and logical gates. The operations too are governed by the algorithms. Data transmission is through binary codes of 0s and 1s. However, quantum computers differ from the classical computers in the fundamental unit of data — in classical computing a bit can either be 0 or 1 exclusively. In quantum computing the unit data is quantum bits or qubits. It shows super position — an object exists as the combination of multiple possible states in a simultaneous manner. A qubit is superposition of both 1 and 0 simultaneously until its state is measured.
Qubits are made by manipulating normal atoms or even electrons. They can be made by nano-engineering artificial atoms or semiconductor nanocrystals. These are made with lithography, a method of printing.
The states of different qubits showing superposition can get entangled — they are linked to each other through quantum mechanics.
Quantum computing offers unprecedented speed of computing. The quantum computers we have now are nascent. Still they achieve mind-blowing speeds. What could take the fastest supercomputer ten thousand years, Sycamore (Google’s 54-qubit quantum computer) takes 200 seconds.
IBM too is working on quantum computing projects. It is a costly and cumbersome technology. Qubits are kept in chambers that chill them to near absolute-zero temperature.
The technology will be useful in quantum cryptography and quantum sensing.
Several billion dollars have been released by nations for R&D in this area. India has earmarked Rs.8000 crore in 2019. Of late, India kept aside Rs.6003 crore for the National Quantum Mission.