No, the new computing devices that use photon light instead of electric current are not part of the new quantum computing system. They belong to a different field of research known as photonics or optical computing. Quantum computing, on the other hand, is a distinct paradigm that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations using quantum bits or qubits.
Photonics-based computing devices use photons (particles of light) to process and transmit information. These devices can offer advantages such as high-speed data transfer, low power consumption, and potentially high parallelism. However, they do not inherently utilize the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, which are the basis for quantum computing.
Quantum computing, on the other hand, aims to harness quantum phenomena to perform computations that are not efficiently solvable with classical computers. It leverages qubits, which can exist in superpositions of states and can be entangled with each other. Quantum computers hold the potential for solving complex problems in areas like cryptography, optimization, and simulation.
While both photonics and quantum computing involve the manipulation of light, they operate on different principles and have distinct applications and goals.