What are "quantum computers"? What if we told you that they are an evolution of "classic" computers capable of unlocking enormous future potential?
It all starts with the mechanism underlying computer logic circuits: the "transistor". The transistor is a circuit that, by opening and closing, allows for the passage of information called "bits", electronic or optical impulses that, when combined, assume the values of 1 or 0.
Transistors affect the power of computers given by their computing speed. Therefore, to increase it, it is necessary to increase the number of transistors. If in the computers of the 1950s we could find 7 transistors, today in a chip the size of a fingernail there are 50 billion transistors measuring 7 nanometers. It can be said that today a transistor is a thousand times smaller than a red blood cell.
But if we make them even smaller, what would happen? This is where "quantum computers", or computers that exploit the laws of quantum mechanics, come into play. Instead of bits, these computers use "qbits" - quantum bits, real "evolved" bits that can simultaneously assume the values 0 and 1.
Quantum computers offer never-before-seen possibilities, from big data applications to the improvement of large-scale processes, such as smart grids, the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and biochemistry, all applications that would be impossible for traditional computers.
Watch the episode of "What a digital world" to learn more!