Quantum computers are a real buzz of technological fashion in recent years. However, many people talk about them, but not everyone understands the principle of operation of such devices. To help ordinary people understand the structure and principles of a quantum computer, Polish programmer Piotr Migdal has released a beta version of The Quantum Game.
Quantum computers, unlike classical computers, use the phenomena of quantum superposition and entanglement in their algorithms. This allows them to solve a completely new class of problems, which you can read about in our article " When to expect quantum superiority?". In this regard, many scientists expect that the next technological breakthrough will occur in the field of quantum computers. However, despite the growing popularity of these devices, many still do not understand the principle of their operation.
To help non-specialists understand the structure of quantum computers, Migdal posted The Quantum Game, inspired by two other games — The Incredible Machine and Chromatron. It consists of 34 levels of increasing difficulty.
On the main screen, users see a grid where you can place the main components of the quantum computer, the number of which increases as you progress through the game. By moving beam splitters, mirrors, and other elements, the player must force a beam of light to hit the photon detectors. According to the game's website, The Quantum Game relies on real-world simulations of quantum mechanisms. This should help players understand the principles of quantum physics that underlie the operation of quantum computers.
In November, IBM announced the creation of a prototype 50-qubit quantum computer. It is known that this computer has 50 superconducting qubits and that the coherence time of the system has reached 90 microseconds — almost twice as long as that of the previous model. Microsoft, in turn, recently released a preliminary version of the development tools package for quantum computing called the Quantum Development Kit.
Today, with the help of a quantum computer, it has already been possible to simulate the process of evolution of two primitive creatures, in which 8192 generations were replaced, A group of Russian physicists, in turn, conducted an experimental study of the effect of the quantum vampire on the thermal states of light.
The quantum future is just around the corner. And the sooner you learn to deal with it, the better.