Google's quantum computer, known as the Google Quantum Computer (or Google Quantum Processor), is based on the concept of quantum computing, which leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations. Unlike classical computers that use bits to represent and process information, quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, thanks to a property called superposition.
The basic building block of Google's quantum computer is the superconducting qubit. These qubits are implemented using superconducting circuits, which are cooled to extremely low temperatures near absolute zero to maintain quantum coherence.
The operation of Google's quantum computer involves initializing the qubits to a specific state, applying quantum gates to manipulate their quantum states, and performing measurements to obtain the desired output. Quantum gates, similar to classical logic gates, perform specific operations on the qubits to carry out quantum computations. By applying a sequence of quantum gates to a set of qubits, a quantum algorithm can be executed.
It's important to note that quantum computers are not intended to replace classical computers for general-purpose tasks like running a desktop operating system. Quantum computers excel at solving certain types of problems, such as integer factorization and optimization, that are computationally infeasible for classical computers. However, they are not well-suited for tasks that require sequential processing or high-level operating system functionality.
As for processing power, the performance of a quantum computer is often quantified using a metric called quantum volume. Quantum volume measures the overall capability of a quantum computer, taking into account factors like the number of qubits, qubit coherence times, gate errors, and connectivity between qubits. Google's quantum computer had achieved a quantum volume of 64, which represents its computational power relative to other quantum systems. It's worth noting that quantum computers are still in the early stages of development, and their processing power is expected to increase over time as technology improves.