Willow, Google's quantum computing chip launched | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    Willow, Google's quantum computing chip launched

    Posted 12 Dec 2024

    2 min read

    About Willow Chip

    • It operates using superconducting transmon qubits—tiny electrical circuits exhibiting quantum behaviour at extremely low temperatures. 
    • The chip is capable of solving complex computations under 5 minutes that otherwise would have taken the world's fastest supercomputers 10 septillion (10^25) years to complete.

    About Quantum Computing

    • It uses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems faster than traditional/ classical computers.
      • Traditional computers use bits to process information as either 0s or 1s, whereas quantum computers use qubits, which can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
    • Principles of quantum mechanics involved are:
      • Superposition: State in which a quantum particle can represent not just one possibility, but a combination of multiple possibilities.
      • Entanglement: Process in which multiple quantum particles become correlated more strongly than regular probability allows.
      • Others: Decoherence, and Interference.

    Application of Quantum Computing

    • Artificial intelligence/ Machine Learning, cybersecurity, financial modelling, drug development, weather forecasting, traffic management, etc.

    Challenges of Quantum Computing

    • Quantum errors due to noise, decoherence, etc.
    • Scalability due to requirement of specialized techniques and materials, 
    • Qubit's short life span, 
    • Ineffective security protocols, 
    • Shortage of skilled manpower etc.

    India’s initiative for quantum computing

    • National Quantum Mission: To scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).
    • Quantum Enabled Science & Technology (QuEST): A research program to build quantum capabilities.
    • Quantum Frontier mission of Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
    • Tags :
    • Quantum Technology
    • National Quantum Mission
    • Quantum Computing
    • Willow Chip
    • Google's Willow Chip
    • Transmon Qubits
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