The Future of Computers

In 1965, Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, published a paper that has defined the development of computing to this day.  Moore's Law describes how transistors within a computer doubles every two years, and as a result so does computer chip performance.  This law held true up until around 2012, where growth has since slowed down from its previous speed.  In Moore's words, "I see Moore's law dying here in the net decade or so."†  The physical limitations of classical computing architecture is the main barrier blocking continued adherence to Moore's Law.

However, recent advancements in the field of quantum computing is seeking to redefine the limits of computing.  Quantum computing harnesses the power of quantum mechanics to exponentially increase computing power.  Prime factorisation problems that would take the age of the universe for classical computing methods to solve would instead take around 10 seconds.  This kind of ability would revolutionise the advancement of new scientific thought.

The D-Wave 2X quantum computer has 1000 qubits

The ideas behind quantum computing are taken from the physics topic of quantum mechanics.  This field concerns the study of incredibly small particles like atoms and photons.  It also defines the phenomenon of 'superposition'.  Instead of bits having a sole value of 0 or 1, 'qubits' (quantum bits) can be both at the same time.  This is called superposition.  Qubits in superposition can perform two operations at once, since it itself can act as both a 1 and a 0 simultaneously.  If one qubit can perform two operations at once, then two qubits can perform four operations at once, and so on and so forth.

One example of a field that will be revolutionised is cryptography, as quantum computing will be able to easily crack all of the current encryption methods we have right now.  Programmers will have to think of ways to use quantum computers to create encryptions that quantum computers themselves cannot easily crack.

Since qubits are so small and unstable, it has proven very difficult to successfully and consistently use them.  The challenges of harnessing quantum computings power are daunting, but many engineers are dedicated to unlocking quantum computing's potential.  Once they do, the boundaries of scientific development will be all but shattered.

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† http://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/hardware/gordon-moore-the-man-whose-name-means-progress

Pictures:
http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-explains-quantum-computing-so-even-you-can-understand/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbloomberg/2015/09/04/quantum-computing-from-theory-to-reality