The path to Quantum Readiness

 The path to Quantum Readiness :

On the eve of World Quantum Day 2024, which is an international, community-driven event on April 14,this post suggests a path to  Quantum Readiness. The global race in Quantum Technologies has been accelerated, because not only are Nations putting their might and budget to push the developments, individual entrepreneurs with startups and large corporations with deep pockets for investments are also in the game. Why Quantum ? : https://mmpant.com/why-quantum/About 100 years ago, there was a revolution in Physics :the birth of Quantum Physics. Today it touches the lives of billions of people.This is a one month ( 4 week) program designed specifically for children at School between classes 9 to 12.  It basically responds to the two questions Why you should learn Quantum while at School and how could you do it?Learning  Quantum at School  : https://mmpant.com/learning-quantum-at-school/Demystifying Quantum is a weeklong ( Monday to Friday) Whatsapp delivered course using 21st century pedagogy of ‘active learning’ ( https://mediatheque.lindau-nobel.org/recordings/38480/dont-lecture-me ) augmented with AI and chatGPT to make Quantum concepts and technology accessible to all. This is a very big challenge, because the early pioneer of Quantum concepts, Neils Bohr had said “ If Quantum Mechanics hasn’t profoundly shocked you, you haven’t understood it yet”. And Richard Feynman who developed a new ‘ path integrals’ approach to Quantum Mechanics had said “ I think I can safely say that nobody understands Quantum Mechanics”. But  he also emphasised the nature is Quantum and exhorted fellow Physićists to work on creating a quantum Comouter with the following words “ Nature isn’t classical, dammit, and if you want to make a simulation of nature, you’d better make it quantum mechanical.” Demystifying Quantum : https://mmpant.com/qlw1-demystifying-quantum/The first quantum revolution that gave us the transistor, laser etc.  didn’t make full use of quantum mechanics. The stage for the second quantum revolution was set in the 1960s, when John Stewart Bell shook the foundations of quantum mechanics and proposed that entangled particles were correlated in strange quantum ways.The 1st Quantum Revolution : https://mmpant.com/qlw2-the-1st-quantum-revolution/The Second Quantum Revolution involves advancements in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials that harness principles of quantum mechanics for practical applications.The 2nd Quantum Revolution : https://mmpant.com/qlw3-the-2nd-quantum-revolution/And Galileo had said almost 400 years earlier “ The laws of nature are written in the language of Mathematics”. To understand Quantum, there is a mathematical barrier also, but modern neuroscience says that this barrier can be overcome by the motivated. Mathematics for Quantum : https://mmpant.com/qlw4-mathematics-for-quantum/To know more, you may send an e-mail to mmpant@gmail.com or a WhatsApp message to +919810073724

The 2nd Quantum Revolution

# QR15: The 2nd Quantum Revolution :

The Second Quantum Revolution involves advancements in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials that harness principles of quantum mechanics for practical applications.

The first quantum revolution that gave us the transistor, laser etc.  didn’t make full use of quantum mechanics. The stage for the second quantum revolution was set in the 1960s, when John Stewart Bell shook the foundations of quantum mechanics and proposed that entangled particles were correlated in strange quantum ways.

The other critical ingredient for the second quantum revolution was information theory, a blend of math and computer science developed by pioneers like Claude Shannon and Alan Turing. In 1994, Peter Shor proposed a fast-factoring algorithm for a quantum computer, a computer whose bits exist in superposition and can be entangled. Shor’s algorithm was designed to quickly divide large numbers into their prime factors. Using the algorithm, a quantum computer could solve the problem much more efficiently than a classical one. It was the clearest early demonstration of the worth of quantum computing.

Shor’s algorithm is of particular interest in encryption because the difficulty of identifying the prime factors of large numbers is precisely what keeps data secure through the RSA algorithm.

Today’s quantum computers are not yet advanced enough to implement Shor’s algorithm.

What changed was Shor’s introduction of error-correcting codes. By combining concepts from classical information theory with quantum mechanics, Shor showed that, in theory, even the delicate state of a quantum computer could be preserved.

Beyond quantum computing, the second quantum revolution also relies on and encompasses new ways of using technology to manipulate matter at the quantum level. 

Classical interferometers, like the type used in the famous Michelson-Morley experiment that measured the speed of light in different directions to search for signs of a hypothetical aether, looked at the interference pattern of light. New matter-wave interferometers exploit the principle that everything—not just light—has a wavefunction. Measuring changes in the phase of atoms, which have far shorter wavelengths than light, could give unprecedented control to experiments that attempt to measure the smallest effects, like those of gravity. 

With laboratories and companies around the world focused on advancements in quantum science and applications, the second quantum revolution has only begun. As Bardeen put it in his Nobel lecture, we may be at another “particularly opportune time … to add another small step in the control of nature for the benefit of [hu]mankind.”

Here is the link to a 24 page article on the 2nd Quantum Revolution : https://arxiv.org/pdf/quant-ph/0206091.pdf

And here is a full book with the title “ The 2nd Quantum Revolution by Lars Jaeger “ : https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-98824-5

Quantum Games

# QR14: Quantum Games

Quantum games can be a fun and interactive way to learn about quantum mechanics. These 10 games are designed to illustrate some fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum uncertainty. 

10 Quantum games that can help you learn the field of Quantum Computing : https://quantumzeitgeist.com/10-quantum-games-that-can-help-you-learn-the-field-of-quantum-computing/amp/

1. Hello Quantum

Hello Quantum is a puzzle game designed by IBM for quantum-curious people who may not have a strong background in physics or computer science. It teaches the principles of quantum computing in a fun and interactive way.

2. Particle In A Box

Particle in a Box was developed by The Design and Interaction Studio at Georgia Tech to teach introductory Quantum Mechanics in the simplest way.

3. Psi And Delta

Like Particle in a Box, I this game the player builds models based on the concepts of superposition and probability in part one and develops models of energy levels in part two. 

4. QCard

QCard uses IBM’s Qiskit framework to mimic quantum circuits during gameplay. Your objective as a player is to increase the likelihood that your qubit will be flipped from 0 to 1 at the end of each round. 

5. Photonic Trail

This is a single-player quantum game where players hunt for treasure with six missions covering the basics of quantum optics.

6. Virtual Lab By Quantum Flytrap

Quantum Flytrap aims to bring quantum technologies to users through simple graphical interfaces. Their simulation game is a real-time online optical table simulation that can support up to four entangled photons. It uses a drag-and-drop feature for positioning optical elements such as photon sources and Faraday rotators. 

7. Quantum Odyssey

Quantum Odyssey combines the best video game experience with a patented visual learning method for teaching Universal Quantum Computing.

8. Quantum Moves

Quantum Moves, allows citizen scientists to go through various scenarios where they can apply quantum technology research.

9. Quantum Chess

Quantum Chess is the result of a partnership between qcraft and USC physics graduate student Chris Cantwell.  It is the first game ever created on top of a quantum physics engine, and it exemplifies how a traditional game can be reimagined to bring quantum phenomena to the foreground. 

10. Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe

This is a simple game that illustrates the concept of superposition, in which a quantum particle can exist in multiple states at once. Players take turns placing their pieces on a 3×3 grid, with the goal of getting three in a row. However, in this version of the game, each space on the grid can be in multiple states at once, allowing players to occupy multiple spaces at the same time.

These are just a few examples of the many quantum games that are available. By playing these games, you can learn about some of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics in a fun and interactive way.

From the ‘useless class’ to the ‘most valuable’ class:

From the ‘useless class’ to  the ‘most valuable’  class: 

Yuval Noah Harari had projected that AI will give rise to a ‘useless class’ whose current knowledge and skills will have no value and who are incapable of learning new knowledge skills that are of value: https://youtu.be/OMDlfNWM1fA?si=TYY7CcZ0bmD4lSeMThere is a recent report in support of this from the ILO ( International Labour Organisation) regarding unemployed educated Indian youth that has caught the attention of the media. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/unemployment-crisis-83-of-jobless-indians-are-youth-says-international-labour-organisation-report-11711517084127.html#:~:text=As%20per%20the%20ILO%20report,from%2035.2%20percent%20in%202000.This is one of the great paradoxes of our times. On the one hand we had hopes of reaping the ‘demographic dividend’ but here we have quite the opposite.The ILO and other similar reports indicate that about 15 to 20% of the educated are employable, and we must investigate how this happened. If the regulating agencies with their strict norms of School Boards, AICTE, UGC etc. and the NTA and entrance exams were really effective, we should have had 100% unemployment amongst educated youth, but in the spirit of Quantum tunnelling some of them are able to become employable and some even become innovators and high achievers. One major flaw with the current education system is simply not enough time is being spent in learning. A full time student is learning for about half the days of the year and for inky a few hours each day and that too, an outdated curriculum. CNR Rao. a Bharat Ratna in Science had made a statement  before the President of India that 90% of our University curricula are outdated: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/90-indian-universities-have-outdated-curriculum-cnr-rao/articleshow/49671506.cms?from=mdrWe have moved from a foraging society, an agricultural society, the several industrial society to the era driven by the fusion of AI and Quantum ( see Navigating tomorrow: the AI- Quantum fusion era: https://datafloq.com/read/navigating-tomorrow-the-ai-quantum-fusion-era/#:~:text=The%20fusion%20of%20AI%20and,new%20epoch%20of%20computational%20intelligence.), but our education system does not prepare our youth to be future ready. And Darwin’s principles of evolution of survival of the fittest continue to prevail. Tragically enough India has both an ambitious AI mission and an ambitious Quántum mission with substantial financial commitments from the government, India has now embraced the two emerging technologies of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum in a big way. There is an AI mission with an initial commitment of 10,000 crores ( https://lnkd.in/g4shZtkW ) and a National Quantum mission with an initial commitment of Rs 6,000 crores ( https://lnkd.in/gz3RQswH ). We must have a learning mission that deploys AI to bring active personalised and lifelong learning to all Indians. 

The Quantum Internet

# QR13: The Quantum Internet 

The future of connectivity is quantum! The Quantum Internet  harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to revolutionize the way we communicate and share information. Imagine ultra-secure communication through quantum cryptography, where the act of eavesdropping fundamentally alters the transmitted information, alerting both parties to the breach. It creates the possibility of quantum teleportation, where quantum states can be transferred between locations instantaneously.

Link to a short article on the Quantum Internet : https://medriva.com/health/quantum-internet-a-leap-towards-a-faster-and-secure-future

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough by building a network of quantum memories at room temperature, marking a foundational milestone for the quantum internet. In a first, scientists succeeded in storing and retrieving two photonic qubits at the quantum level. The next significant challenge in the development of quantum internet is detecting when a quantum signal is ready to be retrieved without destroying its properties. This necessitates the creation of quantum repeaters, which will enable the unhindered transmission of quantum information over long distances. Achieving this will pave the way for a large-scale quantum internet.

Companies such as Xanadu are already demonstrating the quantum advantage, thereby showcasing the superiority of quantum computing over traditional computing devices. Using photonics and the quantum states of light, Xanadu constructed their quantum computing devices, marking a significant breakthrough in the field.

While the quantum internet still has some way to go before it becomes a reality, the progress made so far is encouraging.

A recent breakthrough in Quantum memory may lead to an earlier realisation of the Quantum Internet : https://www.livescience.com/technology/communications/quantum-memory-breakthrough-may-lead-to-a-quantum-internet?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=livescience&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR2VO-lzC4uG-n3XrP-SJGyfMZ8qVZIOMjPI0AzS571SVTM_d4Zy5REAUsg_aem_AbFztSgWxMnfKYZTSdY-veLgargXVpmxQQfRiUM1KZVtdCm9JEdaVq9EOI4XFuiE6Hg

Researchers at the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) have brought together two Nobel prize-winning research concepts to advance the field of quantum communication.

Scientists can now efficiently produce nearly perfect entangled photon pairs from quantum dot sources. Entangled photons are particles of light that remain connected, even across large distances, and the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics recognized experiments on this topic.   Combining entanglement with quantum dots, a technology recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2023, the IQC research team aimed to optimize the process for creating entangled photons, which have a wide variety of applications, including secure communications : https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240325114206.htm

Learning resources for your Quantum journey

 Learning resources for your Quantum Journey:

Your journey into the Quantum realm should begin with the following  10 articles: A brief history of Quantum Mechanics : 

A brief history of quantum mechanics

in which, astrophysicist Dr. Marcelo Gleiser explores the history of quantum mechanics from its early years to the present day. 

And viewing the following 10 videos :

1: The trillion dollar Quantum Gold rush : https://youtu.be/wKN8wBl4X1M

2:Michio Kaku: Quantum Computing is the next revolution : https://bigthink.com/series/the-big-think-interview/michio-kaku-quantum-computers/

3: Quantum Computing expert explains one concept at different levels : https://youtu.be/OWJCfOvochA

4: What is Quantum Technology ? : https://youtu.be/H5j9IgAF-xg

5: Quantum isn’t spooky: you use it everyday : https://youtu.be/hLtfFJ6F3rc

6: Neil de Grasse Tyson on Quantum Mechanics : https://youtube.com/shorts/dtkexmD_3Bs?feature=share

7: How does a Quantum Computer work ? https://youtu.be/uLnGp1WTNFQ?si=cH8BjtP1Kq8goJ8H

8: Prof MM Pant at Elpro International School, Pune : https://youtu.be/tiVAaQDBSmo

9: Prof MM Pant at Ramjas School , New Delhi : https://youtu.be/tiVAaQDBSmo

10: Prof MM Pant for ICSI online: https://youtu.be/tiVAaQDBSmo

And here is a set of 25 books: 

A: For the non- specialist : 

1: The Quantum World : Kenneth G Ford

2: Quantum Theory: a very short introduction by John Polkinghorne

3: Quantum Theory : Max Planck and Niels Bohr

B: For school students:

4: Breakfast with Einstein : Chad Orzel

5: Quantum Computing for High School Students : Yuly Billig

C: For University students:

6: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics : David Griffiths

7: Quantum Mechanics : Leonard I Schiff

8: Quantum Theory : David Bohm

9: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics with applications in Chemistry : Linus Pauling and Edgar Bright Wilson

10: Feynman Lectures in Physics Vol. 3 : Richard P Feynman

11: A modern approach to Quantum Mechanics : John S Townsend

12: The Principles of Quantum Mechanics : Paul Dirac

13: Principles of Quantum Mechanics : Ramamurti Shankar

14: Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals : Richard P Feynman, Albert Hibbs, Daniel Styer 

D: For those interested in Quantum Technologies:

15: Quantum : a guide for the perplexed : JimAl Khalili

16: Quantum Computing for the very curious : Andy Matuschak and Michael Nielsen

17: Quantum Computing for Everyone : Chris Bernhardt

18: Quantum Supremacy : Michio Kaku

19: Quantum Physics: What everyone needs to know : Michael G Raymer

20: Life on the edge: the coming age of Quantum Biology: Jim Al Khalili

E: For those with a computing background:

21: JJ Sakurai : Modern Quantum Mechanics

22: Where Does The Weirdness Go : David Lindley

23: Michio Kaku : Quantum Supremacy

24: The second Quantum Revolution : Lars Jaeger

25: Quantum Computation and Quantum Information : Michael A Nielsen and Isaac L Chuang

These learning resources provide a good starting point for someone interested in learning about Quantum Physics and Quantum Computing without a strong technical background.

QR12: What is Quantum entanglement ?

# QR12:  What is  Quantum Entanglement ? 

The 2022 Physics Nobel Prize  was awarded to Alain Aspect, John F Clauser and Anton Zeilinger  for their contributions to understanding quantum entanglement. 

Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two or more particles become connected in such a way that the state of one particle is dependent on the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. This means that the state of one particle can instantaneously affect the state of the other, even if they are far apart.

Applications of quantum entanglement include quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum teleportation. In quantum computing, entanglement allows for the creation of quantum gates and quantum circuits, which are fundamental to quantum computation. In quantum cryptography, entangled particles can be used to create secure communication channels due to the sensitivity of entangled states to external interference. Quantum teleportation is a process that allows the transfer of quantum information from one location to another using quantum entanglement, potentially enabling secure communication and quantum information processing.

This surreal concept has profound implications for quantum technologies, including quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and the potential development of a Quantum Internet. 

Understanding Quantum Entanglement is crucial for unlocking the full potential of these revolutionary technologies.

A note on Quantum entanglement for the mathematically inclined : https://brilliant.org/wiki/quantum-entanglement/#:~:text=Having%20defined%20this%20notation%2C%20it,two%20independent%20single%2Dspin%20states.

Watch this video by Leonard Susskind on Quantum Entanglement : https://youtu.be/WbmzmpeocCU?si=Dc3f0HazNmrNNrr3

Wikipedia article on Quantum entanglement : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_entanglement

A good explanation of Quantum entanglement : https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/physics/quantum-physics/quantum-entanglement/

Here are links to a set of videos explaining Quantum entanglement :

Neil de Grasse Tyson explaining Quantum Entanglement ( shorts) : https://youtube.com/shorts/HUxUbcoTB_4?si=KsOX_X_ZYxs1doBS

Neil de Grasse Tyson explaining Quantum entanglement withJanna Levin (16 minutes) : https://youtu.be/C-UxlEQj13w?ement si=js-5OkZXEayvy7t8

Quantum entanglement and spooky action at a distance (~10 minutes) :https://youtu.be/ZuvK-od647c?si=SWN4E9eEnaavhaW9

Arvin Ash on Quantum Entanglement (~ 17 minutes)  : https://youtu.be/unb_yoj1Usk?si=7lsifq008juNQ0Pf

Philip Ball on Quantum entanglement (20 minutes) : https://youtu.be/5_0o2fJhtSc?si=0vDnKJQvfYQvvKTM

Jim Al Khalili on Quantum Biology and Entanglement (~ 59 minutes) : https://youtu.be/NyfNxspBfsc?si=pFzuh9Voi0Ac3pu1

Why did Quantum entanglement win the Nobel Prize in Physics ? ( ~ 20 minutes) : https://youtu.be/US7fEkBsy4A?si=iTvInW9JbERV-O7q

New Opportunities and Challenges for India’s youth:

New opportunities and challenges for India’s youth:

About 5 years ago, the former Director General of  CSIR, Dr. RA Mashelkar had co-authored a book with the title “ From leapfrogging to pole vaulting : creating the magic of sustainable transformation”, exhorting its readers to shift from reactive leapfrogging to proactive pole-vaulting through radical transformation.

India has now embraced the two emerging technologies of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum in a big way. There is an AI mission with an initial commitment of 10,000 crores ( https://www.narendramodi.in/cabinet-approves-ambitious-indiaai-mission-to-strengthen-the-ai-innovation-ecosystem-580269 ) and a National Quantum mission with an initial commitment of Rs 6,000 crores ( https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1917888 ). 

This gives rise to the need for an ‘AI fluent’ and a ‘Quantum ready’ workforce. A major challenge in preparing for these new technologies is the shortage of teachers. This is where the need for ‘ pole vaulting’ rather than ‘leap fogging’ comes in. To address this, I have created a set of WhatsApp ‘active learning’ ( https://mediatheque.lindau-nobel.org/recordings/38480/dont-lecture-me ) courses augmented with AI and chatGPT. 

Neils Bohr had said “ If Quantum Mechanics hasn’t profoundly shocked you, you haven’t understood it yet”. And Richard Feynman who developed a new ‘ path integrals’ approach to Quantum Mechanics had said “ I think I can safely say that nobody understands Quantum Mechanics”. But  he also emphasised that nature is Quantum and exhorted fellow Physićists to work on creating a quantum Comouter with the following words “ Nature isn’t classical, dammit, and if you want to make a simulation of nature, you’d better make it quantum mechanical.” 

Galileo said about 400 years ago that the laws of nature are written in the language of Mathematics. For  Newton, the new Mathematics was differential and integral calculus. In the Quantum age the new Mathematics is statistics , linear algebra and more. To understand Quantum, there is a mathematical barrier also, but modern neuroscience says that this barrier can be overcome by the motivated, with relevant strategies from the ‘ Science of Learning’. 

To address these challenges, I have created a monthlong course on “ Becoming an AI fluent educator” for teachers ( https://mmpant.com/the-ai-fluent-smarteducator/  ) and another month-long course on “ AI powered self-learner ” for learners ( https://mmpant.com/ai-powered-self-learner/ ) 

And a set of 4 weeklong ( Monday to Friday) courses to promote “ Quantum Readiness”. They are QLW1: Demystifying Quantum ( https://mmpant.com/qlw1-demystifying-quantum/ ), QLW2: The 1st Quantum Revolution ( https://mmpant.com/qlw2-the-1st-quantum-revolution/   ), QLW3 : The 2nd Quantum Revolution ( https://mmpant.com/qlw3-the-2nd-quantum-revolution/ ) and QLW4 : Mathematics for Quantum  ( https://mmpant.com/qlw4-mathematics-for-quantum/ ). 

Learning weekends

Learning Weekends : 2862  characters

Alvin Toffler had said that “the illiterates of the 21st Century will not be those, who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and re-learn”. There is wisdom in unlearning habits, beliefs and assumptions that no longer serve a useful purpose. Another motivational quote from Jerry Rice, the legendary American football player is “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.” Many eminent persons ranging from Benjamin Franklin ( https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/24824-an-investment-in-knowledge-always-pays-the-best-interest ), Bill Gates, Charlie Munger, Warren Buffet ( https://youtu.be/mQJU0LeN6xU ), Bill Clinton ( https://youtu.be/L_nUOfaWEC4 )  and Amitabh Bachchan ( https://youtu.be/vk2BiQB9WJM  ) have reiterated the importance of lifelong learning. Once upon a time, only rare especially gifted persons were auto-didacts capable of self-learning. 

Within two months of the chatGPT launch by OpenAI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  said that self-learning through technology is an opportunity for today’s generation: https://lnkd.in/d9FJN9Jh

Press release from PMO dated: 20 JAN 2023 11:59AM by PIB Delhi

This set of 8 learning weekend courses ( with 2 courses every weekend)  is a first step towards facilitating the awakening of the learning mode amongst people, who want to follow the above advice, but don’t know where to start.

Here is a simple way to begin your lifelong journey using your mobile phone and the popular app named Whatsapp.

Learning weekends with WhatsApp can be beneficial because it allows for convenient communication, easy sharing of resources like articles or videos, quick feedback exchange, and the potential for creating study groups or accountability partners—all of which can enhance learning in a flexible and accessible way.

LW1: FAST: First Principles and Scientific Temper : https://mmpant.com/first-principles-and-scientific-temper/

LW2: Learning Prescriptions : https://mmpant.com/lw2-learning-prescriptions/

LW3: Building Cognitive Reserve : https://mmpant.com/building-cognitive-reserve/

LW4: DYOR  Do your own research for your education : https://mmpant.com/lw4-do-your-own-research-for-your-education/

LW5: Educating parents about education : https://mmpant.com/lw5-educating-parents-about-education/

LW6:  TLCM: The language called Mathematics: https://mmpant.com/lw6-the-language-called-maths/

LW7: Measures and Metrics : https://mmpant.com/lw7-measures-and-metrics/

LW8: Critical Thinking : https://mmpant.com/lw8-critical-thinking/

These 8 weekend courses are not part of any syllabus or curriculum for a  Board exam or a competitive entrance exam, but help you in developing the valuable skill of learning, and perhaps even find joy in the pursuit of learning. It is said that in future, the most important skill, would be the skill of learning new skills. 

To know more, please send a WhatsApp message to Prof MM Pant at +919810073724

QR11: What is Quantum Supremacy ?

# QR11: What is Quantum Supremacy ? 

Quantum supremacy is a term coined by John Preskill of Caltech that is used to describe the point at which a quantum computer can outperform classical computers in certain specific tasks. It demonstrates that a quantum computer can solve problems that are practically infeasible for classical computers within a reasonable amount of time.

Google claimed to have achieved quantum supremacy in 2019 with its 53-qubit quantum processor named Sycamore. However, this claim was contested by IBM, stating that the task performed by Google’s quantum processor could be simulated on a classical computer in a reasonable amount of time, therefore not truly demonstrating quantum supremacy.

Quantum Supremacy refers to the point at which a quantum computer can outperform the most powerful classical supercomputers in solving a specific problem. Unlike traditional computers that rely on bits, quantum computers leverage quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This unique capability allows quantum computers to process vast amounts of data and perform complex calculations at an unprecedented speed.

Achieving Quantum Supremacy is not merely about building faster computers; it’s about fundamentally altering our approach to computation and problem-solving. This milestone opens the door to solving previously insurmountable problems in fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, and materials science.

While Quantum Supremacy represents an exciting leap forward, it’s essential to recognize that this is just the beginning of the quantum computing journey. As we navigate this transformative era, understanding the implications of Quantum Supremacy will be crucial in shaping the future of computing and technological innovation.

The term “Quantum Supremacy” coined by John Preskill has been criticized for its potential to be misinterpreted as implying superiority of quantum computing over classical computing in all aspects, which can lead to misunderstandings and controversy. It has been suggested that alternative terms like “Quantum Advantage” may be more appropriate to avoid such connotations.

Achieving quantum supremacy is not the end goal but rather a step towards the broader application of quantum computing. It underscores the importance of continued research, development, and ethical considerations as quantum computing progresses towards more practical and impactful applications.

Quantum Supremacy explained (8 minutes)  : https://youtu.be/90U_SmKyfGI?si=Ug3igdtX-KR-u3Op

A short (~ 2 minutes) video on Quantum Supremacy : https://youtube.com/shorts/puoX8L4Cfws?si=SIEMvDC23Sn9Quml

Video on Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku ( ~ 1 hour): https://youtu.be/_OjRClPzU6Y?si=3SK9hXkdmuZEBwoE

Wikipedia entry on Quantum Supremacy : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_supremacy

Researchers view quantum supremacy as primarily a scientific goal, with relatively little immediate bearing on the future commercial viability of quantum computing.