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IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

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Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#171

Post by gigel82 »

bnjemian wrote: post #94
gigel82 wrote: post #75

No they didn't; there is no such thing as a quantum computer or a quantum processor outside of theoretical papers. I know I'll be downvoted by saying that (like I was last time) but that doesn't change facts; they have a random number generator that is capable of generating a lot of very random numbers... cool, cool, cool.

If you added one word of qualification – practical quantum computer or quantum processor – this would actually be a reasonable position to argue.

No, I mean in the real sense, there is no actual quantum processor anywhere in the world (unless some secret organization actually built something amazing and is hiding it).

Not a single quantum logical gate exists that actually behaves as described in the theory, let alone circuits of quantum gates that do even the most basic of computation. Actually, I'll take that one step further and say that no one has produced a single qubit (actual logical qubit as described in the theoretical literature), these 127 (if that) are what they call "physical qubits" or what you and me would call chaotic sources of uncontrolled entropy (i.e. random number generators).

I'm not saying quantum computing in the physical world is impossible, I'm just saying no one has accomplished it (yet).

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#172

Post by noir_lord »

dhosek wrote: post #139
jazzyjackson wrote: post #33

Quantum Computers sitting in their cryogenic chambers are such works of art, stacks of giant brass plates and hundreds of heat pipes (or coolant pipes? liquid helium I suppose) twisted and coiling throughout the structure hanging like some steampunk chandelier (why do they hang from above anyway?) EDIT: changed to a few direct links to pics: [0][1][2] The esoteric design reminds me of the Connection Machine blog post…

Cray supercomputers were also aesthetically beautiful machines: https://cdn.britannica.com/11/23611-050-81E61C8A/Cray-1-supe... So happy to be able to find a picture of the wirewrap inside: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e2/d2/47/e2d2...

I have a picture of a cray been serviced as an A2 framed print on my living room wall, it predates the missus which is why it was on the living room wall ;)

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#173

Post by samaman »

krastanov wrote: post #163
samaman wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right, but you would still get the basis states for all 127 qubits right? And that would be 2^127 output states. Yes, you could do some sort of search maybe to find highest probability outputs only, but if you needed every output value for a follow up algorithmic step (like in VQE for ground state prep wherein you keep using previous results to adjust the wavefunctions until ground is reached), then wouldn't it be a…

You have 127 qubits that you measure and you end up with a classical string of length 127. Sure, that classical string, the measurement result, could have ended being any of 2^127 possible different values into which the wavefunction collapses. But that is no different from saying that there are 1^1024 possible states that a 1kB of classical RAM can be in. It is not related to the (conjectured) computational advantag…

Right okay makes sense...guess I am just too used to NISQ and having to run many thousands of shots for high enough fidelity..if all you wanted was one output, then yeah one classical string is easy enough, thanks

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#174

Post by dclowd9901 »

jazzyjackson wrote: post #33

Quantum Computers sitting in their cryogenic chambers are such works of art, stacks of giant brass plates and hundreds of heat pipes (or coolant pipes? liquid helium I suppose) twisted and coiling throughout the structure hanging like some steampunk chandelier (why do they hang from above anyway?) EDIT: changed to a few direct links to pics: [0][1][2] The esoteric design reminds me of the Connection Machine blog post…

Whoa, that is so cool! I thought the Eischer esque machine in Devs was mostly Hollywood fluff but it absolutely looked almost just like that.

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#175

Post by MobiusHorizons »

RivieraKid wrote: post #86

Tangential question, what are the areas of technology where we can expect to see substantial progress or breakthroughs within 2030, i.e. what are the most exciting areas to follow and look forward to? Here's my list: - Nuclear fusion (Helion, ZAP, TAE, Tokamak Energy, CFS, Wendelstein). - Self-driving cars. - New types of nuclear fission reactors. - Spaceflight (SpaceX Starship). - Supersonic airplanes (Boom). - Soli…

I would argue that most of the items on this list can be subdivided into two types of hype.

short term hype (real advances that will happen in 1-2 years, but won't matter by 2030, because they are just a generational iteration)

Over-hyped far-future research. (things where the possibilities have yet to be brought down to earth by the practical limits of implementing them broadly / cost effectively) When these things do happen, they tend to be a bit of a let-down, because they don't actually provide the promised revolutionary changes. These things basically have to be over-hyped in order to get the necessary funding to bring them to reality.

Of the examples you have, I am only really excited about CRISPR, and to a lesser extent commercial spaceflight, and new nuclear. These have promise IMO, but I also don't expect them to be decade defining.

Personally I don't think we know what the next breakthrough will be yet. I expect it to take us very much by surprise, and start out as something unthreatening which then grows to a disruptive size / scale.

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#176

Post by krastanov »

dumbfounder wrote: post #161
krastanov wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a funny comparison. "Here is this device with 50 components. It can be simulated by a device with 1000000000000 components, so we should not really be impressed."

When it costs a few dollars to make the latter and tens of millions to make the former then it’s fair to not be super impressed.

You are off by 9 orders of magnitude at least. The classical super computer in these comparisons costs 0.3 Billion dollars and this does not count the many Trillions that took to develop the tech.

Even on this measure, the (useless for now) quantum tech wins.

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#177

Post by beambot »

newsbinator wrote: post #98
jazzyjackson wrote: post #33

Quantum Computers sitting in their cryogenic chambers are such works of art, stacks of giant brass plates and hundreds of heat pipes (or coolant pipes? liquid helium I suppose) twisted and coiling throughout the structure hanging like some steampunk chandelier (why do they hang from above anyway?) EDIT: changed to a few direct links to pics: [0][1][2] The esoteric design reminds me of the Connection Machine blog post…

Someday when quantum computers are the size of dust particles and we're surrounded by them there'll be some version of a steampunk subculture that values decorating their homes with these ancient beautiful and laughably incapable devices. Maybe in 30 ~ 50 years or so.

I would gladly decorate my home with one. They're beautiful in their own way.

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#178

Post by FridayoLeary »

RivieraKid wrote: post #86

Tangential question, what are the areas of technology where we can expect to see substantial progress or breakthroughs within 2030, i.e. what are the most exciting areas to follow and look forward to? Here's my list: - Nuclear fusion (Helion, ZAP, TAE, Tokamak Energy, CFS, Wendelstein). - Self-driving cars. - New types of nuclear fission reactors. - Spaceflight (SpaceX Starship). - Supersonic airplanes (Boom). - Soli…

I hate to tell you, but your list looks like it came straight out of the 1970's:)

- Spaceflight (SpaceX Starship).

- Supersonic airplanes (Boom).

Been there, done that.

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#179

Post by krastanov »

VWWHFSfQ wrote: post #162

This is fascinating to me! Quantum computing is such an incredible frontier. But I suppose it will mostly be used to decrypt all the currently un-decryptable internet traffic being archived at the Utah Data Center [1]. But, maybe it will also be used for something good for humanity, too. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Data_Center

The cryptography uses are fairly boring in my opinion. We already have classical cryptography techniques which are not susceptible to quantum computers.

On the other hand, being finally able to fully simulate large molecules with significant quantum effects (not possible even on classical super computers) would be amazing.

Re: IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

#180

Post by zikduruqe »

VWWHFSfQ wrote: post #162

This is fascinating to me! Quantum computing is such an incredible frontier. But I suppose it will mostly be used to decrypt all the currently un-decryptable internet traffic being archived at the Utah Data Center [1]. But, maybe it will also be used for something good for humanity, too. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Data_Center

I like this talk... and especially around the 10 minute mark.

https://www.ted.com/talks/craig_costello_in_the_war_for_info...

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