The Quiet Quantum Boom

They don’t calculate faster – they calculate differently. Quantum computers are hailed as one of the great hopes of the tech industry. But what can they really do, where do things stand and when will they become tangible? In five simple questions and answers, we shed light on the quantum unknown – reviewed by Dr Tobias Heindel* of Technische Universität Berlin.

What makes a quantum computer so special?

Conventional computers work with bits – states of 0 or 1. Quantum computers use qubits, which can be both at once. This is thanks to a principle of quantum physics called superposition. A qubit behaves a bit like a spinning coin: while in the air it is not heads or tails, but both. This trick allows quantum computers to calculate many possible solutions simultaneously – like a team running through a maze in parallel, while a classical computer tests each path one by one.

What exactly are qubits and how do they work?

Qubits are the smallest units of information in a quantum computer – and they follow their own physics. Alongside superposition, entanglement is key: two qubits can be linked so that a change in one instantly affects the other, even across great distances. Einstein once called it “spooky action at a distance”. Science says: it works, and it can be measured. In large, entangled networks, this property underpins extremely powerful systems. The challenge is keeping them stable – and that remains the biggest hurdle.

What can quantum computers do better than conventional ones?

Quantum computers are not all-purpose machines, but for certain problems they are potentially far superior. They excel when there are vast numbers of combinations to consider: finding the most efficient route for thousands of deliveries, or simulating molecules for drug development. In cryptography, they could break classical encryption – or, used differently, protect it. Data can be transmitted with single photons in ways that are nearly impossible to intercept. But for office software, browsing or streaming, quantum computers are excessive.

What does this mean for everyday life?

Not much yet – but that could change:

• Medicine could see faster development of new drugs.
• Cities could manage traffic to avoid congestion.
• Financial systems could calculate risks more precisely.
• Power grids could regulate themselves more flexibly and reliably.
• A quantum internet could trigger an alarm at the first sign of eavesdropping.
• One day, quantum chips may even be found in smartphones or smart homes, changing how we experience technology.

Until then, there is time to prepare – at least mentally – for the big unknown.

How far has the technology come?

The basics work, and first systems exist – but with limitations. IBM, Google and others are demonstrating quantum processors with several hundred to over 1000 qubits, based on superconducting circuits. Other approaches use trapped ions or light, such as the Chinese Jiuzhang platform. So far, none of these systems are practical for everyday use: qubits lose stability too quickly, and error correction consumes enormous computing power. Yet progress is clear. First applications in chemistry or logistics could be realistic by the end of the decade. The big breakthrough? It may not come with a bang – but as a quiet restructuring in the engine room of the digital world.

* Dr Tobias Heindel leads a research group at TU Berlin working on photonic quantum technologies. His work explores future quantum internet and secure communication systems, protected by the laws of quantum physics.

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