‘QUANTUM’ COMPUTER CLAIMS CHALLENGED

D-Wave Systems ‘Quantum’ Computer Still Under the Microscope

Canadian firm, D-Wave Systems, continue to be put under the spotlight over their claims to have created the first ever quantum computer. However, this hasn’t stopped them from making some key sales. For the mean sum of $15m you can be one of the lucky few to own a D-Wave Two ‘quantum computer’, joining the likes of Nasa, Google and arms industry giant Lockheed Martin who have already acquired one.

In theory a quantum computer could execute complex calculations much faster than a conventional machine, with factors of 3,600 times faster being claimed. Conventional computers use basic units of information called ‘bits’ which are stored in strings of 1s or 0s. Quantum systems on the other hand, use ‘qubits’ which can be both 1s and 0s at the same time.

To date, scientists have found it very difficult to demonstrate true quantum computing, with their experiments suffering from the drop-out effect (among other issues), where qubits cannot maintain their quantum state and revert to being normal 1s or 0s.

Industry experts such as Prof. Scott Aaronson at MIT, remain sceptical of D-Wave’s claims to have created a true quantum computer.

More recently several independent research teams based at ETH Zurich in Switzerland and Berkeley in California, USA, have been putting D-Wave’s claims to the test. So far, no conclusive proof either way has been put forward, and D-Wave executives continue to vigorously defend their technology – the debate continues!