Quantum Computers & AI - Suzanne Gildert [UKH+] (3/10)

Speaker: Suzanne Gildert, Research Fellow at University of Birmingham, UK

This talk will explain the fundamental concepts of the quantum computer (QC) and how these systems might be able to perform certain tasks that classical computers find incredibly difficult. The talk will also explain why QCs might be useful for some very interesting problems with applications to a wide variety of fields such as biology, microprocessor design, pharmaceuticals, economics, transport, chemistry and business. More importantly, the talk will also explain what they can't do! Quantum computers are sometimes wrongly portayed by the media as being replacements for desktop machines, whereas the reality is that they are more like fast co-processors.

There will be a review of some of the experimental challenges involved in building QCs, and a focus on a particularly promising version known as the Superconducting Flux-based Quantum Computer. The devices involved in this type of QC are defined using a process similar to semiconductor technology, but using Niobium and Aluminium rather than Silicon. There will be a brief overview of the physics which causes these devices to demonstrate 'Macroscopic Quantum Coherence'- an effect which allows us to scale up quantum effects to a size where we can manipulate them easily, and why the devices must be cooled to millikelvin temperatures for them to work properly.

This lecture was recorded on 12th of September 2009 at the UKH+ meeting. For information on further meetings please see:
http://extrobritannia.blogspot.com/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Adiabatic
• Quantum
• Computing
• Neural
• Networks
• Gate
• Model
• Superposition
• Entanglement
• Decoherence
• Superconducting
• Flux
• Qubit
• Josephson
• Logic
• Simulated
• Annealing
• Suzanne
• Gildert
• Transhumanism
• Humanityplus
• H+
• UKH+