Physicist Sees Quantum Computers Ushering in Major Progress

[SNS 타임즈- LA] Winners of King Faisal International Prize for Science 2017 offer insights into major developments in quantum physics

▲ Professor Laurens Molenkamp (Photo: King Faisal Foundation)

The world is expected to enter the era of quantum computing in the next 20 years as new breakthroughs in quantum physics offer the possibility of creating computers with unbelievable speed and power that can surpass the capabilities of today’s traditional computers, stated Professor Daniel Loss, co-winner of the King Faisal International Prize for Science 2017.

Professor Loss was honored with the prestigious award this year for his pioneering work on the study of spin dynamics and spin coherence of very small semiconductor particles called quantum dots, that promises to open up significant new opportunities in practical applications based on quantum computing.

Loss, who is the Professor of the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, shared the prestigious prize this year with Professor Laurens Molenkamp of the University of Wurzburg.

Delivering a lecture at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh, Professor Loss stated: “There is a growing list of things that can be done better and faster using quantum computers in all areas of science, mainly because of the incredible search and calculation abilities of such computers.”

Professor Loss pointed out that controlling the spin state of electrons in a coherent position for long is still a challenge. This is the reason why the quantum computer is getting delayed, he said.

Recalling that Peter Williston Shor from the US won the King Faisal International Prize for Science in 2002 for his work on quantum computation and quantum algorithm, Daniel said: “I am very pleased to have received this prize which was earlier won by Peter Shor for formulating the Shor Algorithm, one of the most important contributions in the field of quantum computing today.”

Speaking at the lecture, Professor Laurens Molenkamp shed light on topological superconductivity, which is considered a crucial area of research with practical application prospects in a number of areas, including quantum computing.

His findings have much relevance in the development of topological insulators, which are insulators that lets electrons move along the surface, but not through the inside.

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