BLUF

A partnership between academia and business has the potential to put Australia at the forefront of the quantum computing revolution.

Summary

Large quantum computers could improve:

  • medicines 
  • climate forecasting
  • financial system models

At the heart of a quantum computer is the Qubit, which needs to operate close to absolute zero temperature (minus 273 degrees Celsius). However, it needs to be wired to a standard 'control chip' that runs at room temperature. Therefore the more Qubits, the more wires, resulting in more heat— limiting the quantum computer to 24 Qubits. However, engineers and scientists from the University of Sydney's Nano Unit, working with Microsoft, have developed a control chip that sits very close to the Qubit in the machine's deep freeze. Being so close means very short lengths of wire, and therefore a minuscule amount of heat. Potentially thousands of qubits could be used, but a lot of development is still needed. However, so far, results look promising. Worth considering the implications of quantum computing to the ADF.

Take a deeper look at the future of computing

References

QUANTUM COMPUTING—ARTICLE COLLECTION | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)