Quantum computing is one of the first great technologies of the 21st century, but the details are still shrouded in mystery. I can explain conventional digital computing down to the electron in a MOSFET, and with this newsletter, I have made it my mission to do the same for quantum computing.

Welcome to the Quantum Edge newsletter. Here you will learn more than just: “quantum computing works because of superposition and entanglement.” The Quantum Edge newsletter will tell you what goes with superposition and entanglement and what those terms actually mean. Here you will read about the physics, chemistry, and all sciences that create the foundation for quantum computing. Join me in my quest to translate the mysteries of the quantum world to the language of the dinner table and the coffee shop.

It seems that not a day passes without a significant quantum computing announcement. It’s clearly important and those with an understanding of it will be better prepared to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by a quantum world.

But what is it? Half a second on Google will tell you that it’s computing based on quantum superposition and entanglement. But beyond that - what are these particles called qubits? What is superposition and entanglement? What is a particle? How do particles interact with each other? How do electrons, photons and other things work together and lead to quantum computing?

I’m writing a book called “The Quantum Computing Anthology” to answer these and many other questions about the physics, chemistry, and all sciences that create the foundation for quantum computing. I’m writing it as a newsletter, one chapter at a time. About once a week, a new chapter comes out in the form of The Quantum Edge newsletter.

Today we largely have two types of computer technology sets: analog and digital. Quantum computing will soon become the third type. We are still in the early days, so “soon”, in this case may mean a few years or a few decades. Regardless of the timescale, the change has begun and those of us who want to keep up on technology must find a way to understand it.

Analog computing includes everything from an old mechanical clock to early vacuum tube airplane autopilots. The fundamental components of an analog computer are mechanical or electronic comparators - things that allow two values to be compared. From these and a few other base structures, analog computers can add, subtract and perform a multitude of logic and math functions.

Analog computers were very useful and served humankind for many years. However, they are not precise nor are they fast and, except for specialized applications, their use came to an end with the advent of digital computers.

Digital computers rely on an on/off switch. For modern electronics digital computers, that is a MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) switch. Millions and billions of these switches are combined to create latches, flip flops and logic gates, again to perform any manner of logic or math. They are both faster and more accurate than analog computers. However, today’s complex world is pushing these systems toward physical limitations of speed, heat removal and power consumption.

Quantum computers are the next in line in the evolution of computing systems. They hold promise to be significantly faster than digital computers and able to handle massively complex problems. Today, the early prototypes must be cooled to near absolute zero and require complex precision microwave communications lines to connect with he outside world. They also require companion digital computers to translate in both directions.

They use the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations. If you ask an expert, they will tell you about entanglement, superposition and wave functions. It is not likely, however, that they will be able to explain just how a quantum computer solves a problem without jumping into some really complex math.

The idea of computing on a quantum scale dates back to the early 1980s with lectures from Paul Benioff and Richard Feynman. Benioff at that time proposed using the principles of quantum mechanics to develop a basic form of computer. Other physicists such as Feynman and Yuri Manin were thinking along the same lines at the same time. Regardless, through the rest of the century, quantum computers were largely thought experiments and of little practical value.

However, money did start flowing into the research community and many became excited at the potential for computing at speeds barely imaginable from the technology of the time. By the late 1990’s, proof of concept circuits were showing that there would be a future for quantum computing.

Today, quantum computers are in the field doing real work. The quantum processing units (QPUs) are growing in capability, and labs are starting to make resources available to the general public. IBM will actually allow enthusiasts to directly access a cloud-available quantum computer. You can create quantum circuits, upload them and run your work on a live quantum computer.

I’m not a mathematician and I’m not a quantum physicist but I have studied both disciplines a great deal and I do want to understand how these things work. That’s where the Quantum Edge newsletter comes in. Each week, I’m going to take a look at one small aspect of quantum computing. I’ll research it, attempt to understand it, and write up my findings.

I may make a few mistakes along the way - which will be corrected in later issues. But, ultimately, I will uncover the workings of quantum computing and publish in small enough chunks for all of us mortals to consume.

I will publish each Thursday morning with an occasional Tuesday morning supplement.

The next time you see the Quantum Edge newsletter will be with Issue number 1. See you on February 6th

Ambiguity is not your friend. Unless you have a friend whose legal name is ambiguity. I think that would actually be kind of cool
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Positive Edge is the consulting arm of Duane Benson, Tech journalist, Futurist, Entrepreneur. Positive Edge is your conduit to decades of leading-edge technology development, management and communications expertise.