In just four minutes, a quantum computer solved a problem that would take the most advanced classical supercomputer billions of years.

 

 

In just four minutes, a quantum computer solved a problem that would take the most advanced classical supercomputer billions of years.

This groundbreaking achievement came from researchers in China, who developed Jiuzhang, a 76-qubit photon-based quantum computer prototype. Unlike traditional computers, Jiuzhang relies on an intricate system of lasers, mirrors, prisms, and photon detectors to perform computations using a method known as Gaussian boson sampling. This technique involves detecting and counting photons, and with the ability to count 76 photons, Jiuzhang far exceeded the five-photon limit of classical supercomputers.

 

Beyond being a theoretical milestone, Gaussian boson sampling has real-world potential. It could be applied to solving complex problems in quantum chemistry, advanced mathematics, and even aid in the development of a large-scale quantum internet.

 

While both quantum and classical computers are designed to solve problems, they function in fundamentally different ways. Quantum computers leverage principles of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement to perform calculations at unprecedented speeds, making them far more powerful for specific types of computations.