- Nokia Bell Labs is among those working on a new form of computing
- Quantum tech requires absolute zero temperatures to work
- In time, it will enable the easy creation of new medical drugs and much more
Quantum computing could enable the development of new proteins and new types of drugs, Peter Vetter, president of research at Nokia Bell Labs, told Fierce when I visited the grand old facility last week. Such computing power, however, could also enable the creation of new and dangerous hacking paradigms.
I visited during the 100th anniversary celebration of Nokia Bell Labs in New Jersey last week. From the transistor to the moon landings, the research facility has had its hand in many of the inventions that lit up the technological revolutions of the late 20th century and early 21st centuries.
So, what's next for the company? Quantum computing.
Quibits for the memories
Quantum computing will be one of the revolutions of the mid-21st century.
Unlike current computers, quantum computing uses qubits – which can be made of atoms, photons, trapped ions or other elements – as their basic unit of information. Vetter noted that qubits can represent more data than the standard binary systems used in computing now.
It will take quite a while to develop qubits and the quantum computing around them into a stable commercial platform. "We're still at the very early stage of quibit itself and proving then that you scale it," Vetter said.
"You need hundreds of thousands of quibits, maybe millions of quibits to scale," said Bob Willett, Bell Labs fellow at Nokia Bell Labs earlier in the day. Nokia is using gallium arsenide wafers in its testing work so far.
Part of the problem with scaling is that many quantum machines either operate at super-cold temperatures or are extremely fragile. In the area of Bell Labs where the quantum computing is being researched – which I wasn't allowed to take photos of – are the massive refrigeration units needed for the job. The units get down to almost absolute zero.
Just imagine putting such contraptions in a data center. Safe to say it will be a while before any of this work actually gets to a commercial stage. To hear Vetter tell it, it's looking like 2030 to 2035.
When that time comes though, quantum computing will enable scientists to simulate the workings of a drug before that drug is even manufactured. In Spain, researchers are exploring how quantum computing might be used to reconfigure network assets in the event of a natural disaster or attack. More on that work here.
The flip side of the coin? Quantum computing could also put current forms of encryption at risk. It remains to be seen whether quantum key distribution - which is being explored by Verizon, BT, SK Teleccm and others - can help mitigate that threat. But rest assured we'll be watching closely.