The full potential of quantum computing may not be realized for many years, but the possibilities are already sparking numerous experimental and research initiatives. This ebook explores what you can look forward to.

From the ebook:

In January, Quantum computer maker D-Wave Systems released a new quantum processor, the 2000Q, which has double the number of qubits of its previous 1000Q system. The 2000Q is the Canadian company’s fourth quantum computer system, aimed at solving certain optimization problems through a process called quantum annealing.

A team of researchers say they have “taken a significant step closer” to the development of quantum computing.

Quantum computers differ from conventional computers in that quantum bits, or qubits, can achieve superposition, or a state that is both 1 and 0 simultaneously, boosting the quantum processing unit’s (QPU’s) problem-solving powers.

“Computation is performed by initializing the QPU into a ground state of a known problem and annealing the system toward the problem to be solved such that it remains in a low energy state throughout the process. At the end of the computation, each qubit ends up as either a 0 or 1. This final state is the optimal or near-optimal solution to the problem to be solved,” D-Wave explained.

D-Wave said the new 2,000-qubit system’s faster processing times open up possibilities to use it for production applications in optimization, cybersecurity, machine learning, and sampling.

The system operates at less than 15 millikelvins, which allows the chip to display quantum mechanical effects. Each unit has up to 2,048 qubits and 5,600 couplers that connect each qubit. The unit consumes only 25kW of power, according to D-Wave. Also, a new anneal in the 2000Q may be able to speed up problem solving.