Abstract

Binary digital computers based on transistors have helped to keep up with Gordon Moore’s prediction of the doubling of transistor memory every year to meet up with future computational needs. This prediction can no longer keep up as the role of semiconductors in designing more efficient transistor-based integrated circuits reaches its limit with increasing computational demands. Quantum computers (QC) which require data to be encoded into qubits (Ψ=α|├ 0⟩+β|├ 1⟩), as opposed to bits (0 or 1), holds a revolutionary promise to increase storage density, processing speed and computational efficiency.

QC will be able to solve certain problems much quicker than any binary digital computer with the best currently known algorithm by utilising superposition of states and inseparable quantum entanglement.

The holy grail of QC remains ultra-low temperature.

We will, therefore, be looking at the future of quantum computers and what is required to make them commercially available for humankind. Can we design materials that could produce qubits or hope on serendipity?