Quantum Computing’s Future: Secure Cloud-Based Systems, Says Oxford’s Drmota

Quantum computing, with its potential to revolutionize sectors like drug discovery and material design, is still in its early stages. Initial quantum computing will likely rely on a quantum version of the cloud, hosted by companies like Google or IBM. Security is a key concern, but recent experiments have shown that blind quantum computing using trapped ions could make cloud-based quantum computing more secure. This blind protocol hides a client’s data and programs, offering potential scalability for larger quantum computing systems. This development could open up new opportunities for quantum computing companies and accelerate progress in quantum technology.

What is the Future of Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing, a rapidly advancing field, has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including drug discovery and material design. However, we are still a long way from having a quantum computer in every home or business. The initial stages of quantum computing will likely depend on a quantum version of the cloud, where users send data and computing tasks to a state-of-the-art quantum machine hosted by companies like Google or IBM.

The question of security in this approach is paramount. The good news is that the impenetrable secrecy of quantum-based protocols can make this approach secure. A recent experiment has demonstrated a version of blind quantum computing using trapped ions, which could make plugging into a cloud-based quantum computer more secure. This blind protocol hides a client’s data and programs, offering potential scalability for larger quantum computing systems.

In highly competitive sectors, there would be concerns about using a cloud-based quantum computer. For instance, a company searching for a new wonder drug or a high-performance battery material wouldn’t want to reveal confidential secrets. This is where blind quantum computing comes into play. It has been shown in theory that one can perform computations on a remote quantum computer while hiding the data and the operations done on such data. This could give a client confidence to use any quantum computer, according to Peter Drmota of the University of Oxford.

What are the Challenges in Quantum Computing?

Several groups have previously explored blind quantum computing using photonic schemes. However, these setups have their disadvantages. They are probabilistic, which means that quantum entanglement operations sometimes fail and sometimes succeed, so users must run multiple trials and post-select the desired output. The lack of deterministic entangling operations makes it challenging to perform blind quantum computing using only photons, says Joe Fitzsimons from Horizon Quantum Computing, a company developing integration software for quantum computers.

The community has been waiting for a demonstration of blind quantum computing using matter-based, as opposed to photon-based, qubits. Drmota and his colleagues have delivered such a demonstration with a simple blind quantum computing setup that uses just two trapped ions, a strontium ion and a calcium ion.

How Does Blind Quantum Computing Work?

In the setup demonstrated by Drmota and his team, the strontium ion acts as the network qubit that sends photons to a client, while the calcium ion, with its long coherence times, works as a memory qubit. This setup is a significant step forward in the field of quantum computing, demonstrating the potential for secure, cloud-based quantum computing that can be scaled up for larger systems.

The use of trapped ions in this setup is a novel approach that could pave the way for more secure and reliable quantum computing. The strontium ion and calcium ion work together to perform computations while keeping the data and operations hidden, providing a level of security that is crucial in sectors where confidential information is at stake.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Quantum Computing?

The demonstration by Drmota and his team is a significant milestone in the field of quantum computing. It shows that blind quantum computing is not just a theoretical concept but can be practically implemented, paving the way for secure, cloud-based quantum computing.

This development could have far-reaching implications for various sectors, including those that deal with sensitive data. Companies in these sectors could leverage the power of quantum computing without the fear of revealing confidential secrets, thanks to the blind protocol that hides a client’s data and programs.

The scalability of this protocol also means that it could be incorporated into larger and larger quantum computing systems. This could accelerate the progress in quantum technology, bringing us closer to the day when quantum computing becomes a part of our everyday lives.

What are the Implications for Quantum Computing Companies?

For companies like Google, IBM, and Horizon Quantum Computing, this development could open up new opportunities. As providers of quantum computing services, these companies could offer their clients a secure way to leverage the power of quantum computing, thanks to the blind protocol.

This could also lead to increased competition in the quantum computing market, as more and more companies see the potential of this technology. However, it could also lead to increased collaboration, as companies work together to develop and improve quantum computing systems.

What are the Next Steps in Quantum Computing Research?

While the demonstration by Drmota and his team is a significant step forward, there is still much work to be done in the field of quantum computing. Researchers will need to continue exploring and refining the blind protocol, as well as other quantum-based protocols, to ensure their security and scalability.

The use of trapped ions in quantum computing is also a relatively new area of research, and further studies will be needed to fully understand and harness their potential. The future of quantum computing looks promising, but it will require continued research and innovation to realize its full potential.