What can my homemade quantum computer do?

Looking Glass Universe
22 Dec 202333:16
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script details the process of creating a quantum computer and using it to solve a computational puzzle. The creator explains the limitations and potential of quantum computing, highlighting its superiority over classical computing in certain tasks, such as factoring prime numbers. The script walks through the construction of a one-cubic quantum computer and the implementation of the Deutser algorithm to determine whether a secret function is balanced or constant, using the unique capabilities of quantum mechanics like superposition and interference.

Takeaways
  • 🌟 Quantum computers are not universally superior to classical computers; they excel in specific tasks like factoring prime numbers.
  • 🤔 The Deutser Joe algorithm is a favorite for demonstrating quantum computing capabilities, as it highlights the unique advantages of quantum computation.
  • 🧠 Quantum computers can solve problems that would be practically impossible for classical computers, given the right quantum algorithm.
  • 🔍 The script explores the difficulty of creating a quantum algorithm and the challenges in encoding quantum functions.
  • 🎯 The main problem addressed is determining whether a given function is balanced or constant, using a quantum computer in a single run.
  • 🌀 The script explains the theoretical process of encoding different functions (F1, F2, F3, F4) and how they would interact with input light.
  • 💡 The solution to the quantum riddle involves sending in light at a 45° angle and measuring the output at the same angle to determine the nature of the secret function.
  • 📈 The script provides a hands-on example of quantum computation, showing the practical steps and considerations in setting up a quantum system.
  • 🔬 Experimentation with wave plates and light filters is crucial for understanding how quantum states can be manipulated and measured.
  • 📊 The script emphasizes the importance of reversible quantum processes and the technical challenges in implementing quantum algorithms.
  • 🚀 Building a quantum computer and understanding its operation is a complex task that requires significant effort and appreciation for the underlying quantum mechanics.
Q & A
  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is the demonstration and explanation of a quantum computer and its capabilities, specifically using the Deut Joer algorithm to solve a quantum riddle.

  • What did the creator realize about their quantum computer?

    -The creator realized that their quantum computer seems to be working well enough to use for a computation that is surprisingly effective, despite their initial expectations.

  • What is the common misconception about quantum computers?

    -The common misconception is that quantum computers are super super computers that can solve all the world's problems, but in reality, they are usually worse than normal computers in most situations, being harder to build and only excelling in specific algorithms.

  • What is the significance of factoring prime numbers in quantum computing?

    -Factoring prime numbers is significant because it is a problem that takes a very long time on a regular computer, especially for large numbers, and is essential for encryption. Quantum computers, with the right algorithm, could potentially solve this problem much faster.

  • What is the Deut Joer algorithm?

    -The Deut Joer algorithm is a quantum algorithm that demonstrates what quantum computers can do well. It is used to solve a problem where one must determine if a secret function is balanced or constant, using a quantum computer only once.

  • How does the Deut Joer algorithm solve the quantum riddle?

    -The Deut Joer algorithm solves the quantum riddle by sending in a superposition of zero and one (plus light) and then measuring the output at a 45-degree angle. The pattern of light transmission or blockage at this angle determines whether the secret function is balanced or constant.

  • What are the four possible functions the Deut Joer algorithm can identify?

    -The four possible functions are: F1, which does nothing to the inputs; F2, which flips the one bit; F3, which outputs zero for zero input and one for one input; and F4, which outputs one for both inputs.

  • Why is measuring the state in the zero or one basis not helpful in this case?

    -Measuring the state in the zero or one basis is not helpful because it collapses the superposition to one of those states, losing the information about all possible inputs. Instead, a specific measurement at a 45-degree angle is required to extract the necessary information.

  • How does the video creator demonstrate the concept of quantum superposition?

    -The video creator demonstrates quantum superposition by explaining that when a quantum computer calculates on a superposition of inputs, it processes all possible inputs simultaneously. However, upon measurement, the quantum state collapses to one of the possible outcomes, highlighting the need for clever combination of inputs to extract the desired information.

  • What is the practical application of the Deut Joer algorithm in the context of the video?

    -The practical application of the Deut Joer algorithm in the video is to solve a quantum riddle, which serves as a teaching tool to help viewers understand the principles of quantum computing and how quantum algorithms can process information in ways that classical computers cannot.

  • How does the video address the difficulty of creating quantum algorithms?

    -The video addresses the difficulty of creating quantum algorithms by explaining that while quantum computing may seem powerful due to its ability to process multiple inputs simultaneously, it is challenging to devise methods to combine these inputs in a way that yields the desired information upon measurement. The Deut Joer algorithm is an exception where such a method is possible.

Outlines
00:00
🤖 Quantum Computing Introduction

The speaker discusses their experience of building a quantum computer and its capabilities. They clarify that while quantum computers are not super computers, they can solve specific problems that are impractical for classical computers, such as factoring large prime numbers. The speaker expresses excitement about demonstrating a quantum computation using a simple quantum algorithm called the Deutser Joe algorithm, which is effective in teaching the unique capabilities of quantum computers.

05:00
🔍 The Deutser Joe Algorithm Problem

The speaker introduces the Deutser Joe algorithm problem, which involves determining the nature of a secret function based on a single query. The function could be one of four types: a do-nothing function, a swap function, or two constant functions. The challenge is to figure out if the function is balanced (half of the outputs are zero and half are one) or constant (all outputs are the same). The speaker explains that while this problem is impossible for classical computers to solve with only one query, quantum computers offer a potential solution.

10:02
💡 Quantum Version of the Puzzle

The speaker describes the process of creating a quantum version of the puzzle, where the input and output are represented by light. They explain the need for a fair computation for the quantum computer and discuss the technicalities of encoding the function using light polarization. The speaker also talks about the use of wave plates to manipulate the light and the challenges in detecting changes in the light's state.

15:03
🧠 Understanding Quantum Functions

The speaker delves into the theoretical aspect of quantum functions, explaining how to encode different functions (F1, F2, F3, and F4) using light polarization and wave plates. They describe the behavior of each function and how to determine if the secret function is balanced or constant by observing the light's behavior after passing through the quantum computer. The speaker also shares their experimental process and the insights gained from it.

20:04
🌟 Solving the Quantum Riddle

The speaker presents the solution to the quantum riddle using the Deutser Joe algorithm. They explain that by sending in a superposition of zero and one (45-degree light) and measuring the output at a 45-degree angle, one can determine whether the secret function is balanced or constant. The speaker emphasizes the importance of cleverly combining inputs in quantum computing to extract the desired information upon measurement.

25:06
🎲 The Quantum Computing Challenge

The speaker invites the audience to a game where they have to guess whether the secret function is balanced or constant based on a single measurement. They demonstrate the process by putting a filter at a 45-degree angle and observing the light's behavior. The speaker highlights the excitement of applying quantum computing to real-world problems and the challenge of understanding and utilizing quantum algorithms.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Quantum Computer
A quantum computer is a computational device that operates on the principles of quantum mechanics, allowing it to perform certain types of calculations much faster than classical computers. In the video, the creator discusses building a quantum computer and its potential to solve problems that are intractable for classical computers, such as factoring large prime numbers, which is crucial for encryption technologies.
💡Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm
The Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm is a quantum algorithm that distinguishes between two types of functions: balanced and constant. It is often used as an introductory example to demonstrate the capabilities of quantum computing over classical computing. In the context of the video, the creator uses the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm to explain how quantum computers can solve problems with a single query, which would be impossible for a classical computer.
💡Factoring Prime Numbers
Factoring prime numbers is the process of breaking down a composite number into its prime factors. This task is computationally difficult for classical computers, especially for large numbers, and forms the basis of many encryption algorithms. The video highlights that quantum computers, with algorithms like Shor's algorithm, could potentially factor large prime numbers efficiently, threatening current encryption methods.
💡Superposition
Superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics where a quantum system can exist in multiple states simultaneously. In the context of quantum computing, this means that a quantum bit or qubit can represent both 0 and 1 at the same time, allowing quantum computers to process a vast number of possibilities concurrently.
💡Entanglement
Entanglement is a quantum phenomenon where two or more particles become linked in such a way that the state of one particle is dependent on the state of the other, even when separated by large distances. This property is not fully explained in the video but is a crucial aspect of quantum computing, as it enables quantum systems to perform complex calculations that classical systems cannot.
💡Quantum Gates
Quantum gates are the building blocks of quantum circuits, similar to logic gates in classical computing. They manipulate the state of quantum bits (qubits) through operations based on the principles of quantum mechanics. The video creator discusses the construction of a quantum computer and the implementation of quantum gates as part of the process.
💡Polarized Light
Polarized light refers to light waves that oscillate in a specific direction or plane. In the video, the creator uses polarized light to represent quantum states and manipulate these states to demonstrate quantum computing principles. The horizontal and vertical polarizations represent the 0 and 1 states in classical computing, but in the quantum context, they are used to illustrate superposition and entanglement.
💡Wave Plate
A wave plate, also known as a retardation plate, is an optical component that delays one polarization component of light with respect to the other, effectively changing the polarization state of the light. In the video, the creator uses a wave plate to manipulate the polarization of light to simulate quantum operations and to demonstrate the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm.
💡Balanced Function
In the context of the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, a balanced function is one where the output is evenly distributed between two possible states, typically with half the outputs being one state and half another. This concept is central to the algorithm's ability to distinguish between different types of functions with a single query.
💡Constant Function
A constant function is a mathematical function that always returns the same output for any input. In the context of the video and the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, a constant function is one where all outputs are the same, either all zeros or all ones, regardless of the input.
Highlights

The speaker has created a quantum computer and is exploring its capabilities.

Quantum computers are not universally superior to classical computers; they excel in specific situations.

The classic example of quantum computing's advantage is factoring prime numbers, which is a hard problem for classical computers but could be solved more efficiently on a quantum computer.

A new polynomial-time quantum algorithm has been discovered, which may have significant implications.

The Deut Joer algorithm is used to demonstrate quantum computing's unique capabilities.

The Deut Joer algorithm helps to identify whether a secret function is balanced or constant, a problem that is difficult for classical computers but solvable with a quantum computer in one use.

The speaker's quantum computer is a one-cubic quantum computer, which is rudimentary but sufficient for demonstrating the Deut Joer algorithm.

The process of making a quantum algorithm work effectively is challenging and requires clever encoding of functions.

The speaker discusses the theoretical approach to encoding different functions for quantum computation using light polarization.

The experiment involves using a wave plate to manipulate light in a way that encodes the secret function for the quantum computer.

The speaker's confusion about the wave plate's function leads to an experimental approach to determine its effect.

The full wave plate is identified as the component that flips light, which is essential for encoding the function F4.

The speaker realizes that the wave plate may not be detectable with a simple filter due to the nature of quantum changes in light.

The design of the functions F1, F2, and F3 is explained through the manipulation of light polarization and filtering.

The speaker successfully constructs the quantum riddle solver using the Deut Joer algorithm and a 45-degree filter orientation.

The quantum riddle solver can determine if a secret function is balanced or constant based on a single measurement of light after it passes through the quantum box.

The experiment demonstrates the practical application of quantum computing principles in solving a specific problem.

Transcripts
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