The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas came up with some interesting innovations again this year. Perhaps the most spectacular news: IBM presented the first commercially available quantum computer. The technology, which was previously used only in the laboratory, is to be integrated into real business and research processes for the first time.
Experts warn, however, before early Eurphorie. Although IBM’s quantum computer represents an important intermediate step, it still can not meet the hopes of developing quantum computers. This is shown by a simple fact: the new computer can not match the performance of the best conventional computers.
Research progress never proceeds linearly
In fact, a quantum computer with a power of 50 Qbits would be needed to beat the classic supercomputers in certain calculations. The model of IBM has only about half. At first glance, the difference may not seem particularly big to the layman. However, this perspective changes when you consider the time horizon: from the first ideas in the 1970s to the 20-bit IBM computer, it took almost fifty years! Although amazing progress has been made in the last five years, hopes for rapid development. But history shows that periods of stagnation usually follow such phases of many breakthroughs. Thus, the idea of a quantum computer at the beginning of the 2000s already seemed to have been written off because no further progress was required.
Control Qbits further complicate matters
In addition, there is another problem: The infrastructure of a quantum computer is extremely fragile. Even the smallest disturbances can lead to hardware-related calculation errors. In order to ensure full functionality permanently, each computing Qbit must therefore be monitored once more by numerous control Qbits. As a result, however, the quantum computer to be built becomes significantly larger and more complex. So far, one has to say: Until a quantum computer is actually able to break the RSA encryption standard, years and probably even decades will pass. But why did IBM launch a commercial product at all? The answer is quite simple: The users should collect empirical values that can then be used for the further development of the technology.
