Quantum Computing Gains Traction in Manufacturing, Data Science Amid Technological Advancements

Quantum computing is rapidly evolving, with industries dealing with uncertainties and materials simulation being the first to invest in this technology. The technology’s databases and data science applications are still in the early development stages. Quantum computing relies on five key concepts: Programming Quantum Information using Gate Operations, Superposition, Measurement, Interference, and Entanglement. German companies are developing competency and adoption of quantum computing in various ways. The latest advancements focus on superconducting qubit technologies, opening the possibility of new algorithms. Use case areas for quantum computing, including finance, utilities, and manufacturing industries, are vast.

What is the Current State of Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is a rapidly evolving field, with the first reports of quantum computers being able to solve certain scientific problems with the same precision as High-Performance Computers. This has led to a shift from passive observation to active exploration by end-users and industry leaders. Industries dealing with great uncertainties and materials simulation have been the first to seriously invest in the adoption of quantum computing technology. Manufacturing industries have reached the limits of current computational simulation capabilities and are looking to improve simulation precision to move away from costly physical hardware development cycles.

Quantum computing applications in databases and data science are in an earlier stage of development. The evaluation of quantum computing technology readiness and adoption is a key discussion point. Until recently, quantum computing seemed to be an unattainable concept due to concerns that disturbances at the macroscopic level would never allow for the concept of entanglement to be implemented in a quantum computer. However, the logic and experimental observations of entanglement, which shifted critics’ rhetoric from “it will never happen” to “it will never be commercially viable in my lifetime,” were published around 2015 and were the subject of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2022.

What are the Fundamental Concepts of Quantum Computing?

Gate-based quantum computation relies on five key concepts: Programming Quantum Information using Gate Operations, Superposition, Measurement, Interference, and Entanglement. Quantum gate operations, analogous to logic gates in classical computers, are used to write information into the qubit, the quantum equivalent of a bit. A quantum gate operation enables the creation of superposition, where instead of having a single piece of digital information such as a 0 or 1 at the location, the information exists as a combined probability of being 0 or 1.

The quantum information is collapsed into a readable value such as a 0 or 1 when we measure, and therefore quantum computation requires the calculation to be repeated multiple times to build the statistics. This allows any value between 0 and 1 to be represented at that physical location. The loss of qubit information due to unwanted interactions is known as decoherence, and is quantified by two lifetimes, T1 & T2. The calculations must be completed within these times.

How are Companies in Germany Approaching Quantum Computing?

Companies in Germany are approaching the development of competency and adoption of quantum computing in various ways. This includes an overview of resources and networks to start exploring. The steps companies and governments have implemented internally to start building competency and learning references with a focus on materials for German speakers are also being considered.

In conjunction with other articles in this edition of DatenbankSpektrum, the authors intend to provide inspiration for new research and development topics in database engineering and science that could be augmented through quantum computing. A version of this article will be made available in German language on arxiv.org later.

What are the Latest Technology Advancements in Quantum Computing?

The latest technology advancements in quantum computing focus on superconducting qubit technologies. The information exists in a wave-like state in the qubit, therefore we can engineer constructive and destructive interference of information with gate operations, which is not possible in classical digital computers. This opens the possibility of new algorithms such as Grover’s search algorithm where a query programmed into a computer relies on interference to search all possible solutions and amplify the correct solution simultaneously.

What are the Use Case Areas for Quantum Computing?

The use case areas for quantum computing are vast and varied. Industries dealing with great uncertainties and materials simulation have been the first to seriously invest in the adoption of quantum computing technology. Intractable problems with multiple variables, missing data, and unknowns such as risk and demand prediction in the finance and utilities industries are difficult to solve using classical techniques. Manufacturing industries have reached the limits of current computational simulation capabilities and are looking to improve precision in simulations to move away from costly physical hardware development cycles.