Software and Algorithms

You now know the algorithm to multiply two numbers.

But there are also algorithms that compute the shortest route between two addresses. TomTom and Google Maps wouldn’t be able to lend you a hand without that algorithm.

So algorithms and computer go together like bread and butter

How does a quantum computer deal with algorithms? Stacey explains.

Ada was writing software for a computer that still had to be created

Similarly, Stacey is working on algorithms for the quantum computers of the future.

Summary so far...

A computer is of no use without software
An algorithm is a set of instructions to solve a problem in defined steps.
A quantum computer can conduct operations that are impossible for a regular computer.
It’s possible to write algorithms for a computer that hasn’t been invented yet.

Stacey, Ada and … Catherine!

Catherine works at Google and she will fill us in with regards to Google’s ambitions in the quantum realm.

Imagine that you want to build a tower made of Lego blocks.

(Click on the terms to read more )

Different types of blocks

You need different types of blocks for different sections of your tower: some for the foundation, others for the walls, and others for the roof. Each type has a specific role to make sure your tower stands tall and looks cool.

A software tower

A software stack is like a tower made up of different types of ‘digital blocks’. Each block is a piece of software with its specific task. Some blocks are there to do the ‘thinking’, to make sure things are functioning as they should. Other blocks are there to make sure your ‘tower’ looks good on both desktop and mobile.

Build and rebuild

If you stack these digital blocks in the right way, you can make apps. Like games that you can play on your phone, or websites that you can browse on the internet. Just like you can build different types of towers with Lego blocks, you can use different software blocks to make any type of computer program you can wish for!

So, how does this all come together?

Catherine lays out all the components that are needed to build a working quantum computer.

Software plays a key role!

We can summarize Catherine's video in five points:

1.Stabilization/calibration

Stabilizing quantum bits. Software that keeps qubits in the right state. They can be pretty fragile, remember?

2.Error correction

Performing measurements and verifying these for error correction. This is the most important phase in the development of quantum technology according to Google.

3.Connection

The software that connects the computer with the outside world. It goes without saying that this has to be a stable and safe connection.

4.User interface

The computer program that enables users to send instructions to the chips. To put it in layman’s terms: the screen by which you operate the application.

5.Software stack

The different software packages that Google offers. These are the existing building blocks that users can utilize.

Recently we heard from Google again.

Their team made headlines with the announcement of Project Willow.

So, what are these major milestones?

In this video Julian Kelly (Google) tells us about what is so exciting about Willow.

What does this test measure?

Imagine you have a super-complicated dice with trillions of sides. Rolling it and tracking the results is easy for a quantum computer, but nearly impossible for a regular computer.

Simulating this randomness gets exponentially harder for regular computers.

So, when it comes to these kind of computer problems, quantum has the upperhand.

And that is really impressive!

Willow is the first quantum processor to demonstrate an exponential reduction in error rates as the number of qubits is increased. Traditionally, adding qubits causes the error rate to increase.