The quest for computers capable of processing more information, while taking up less space and energy, led to the development of smartphones. Similarly, scientists delve deeper in quantum computing (QC) — a type of computation using the laws of quantum theory and mechanics — with the aim of creating quantum computers, estimated to be millions of times faster than conventional computers. Moreover, quantum computers can solve problems whose solutions are out of reach for conventional computers.
To advance the development of quantum technologies, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the European Commission partnered on the NSERC-European Commission Joint Call on Quantum Technologies. Together, they are supporting three selected consortia with a total of €4million from the EC and close to CAD$5 million from NSERC. Professor Anne Broadbent is participating in a successful pioneering project named Foundations of Quantum Computational Advantage (FoQaCiA), which is enabling the collaboration of 11 institutions across eight countries. FoQaCiA aims to provide foundations for QC, which will involve discovering new uses for quantum computers. QC may find applications in facilitating complex processes such as scheduling airline routes, as it can consider more constraints, including environmental factors, before creating a more efficient routing schedule that can directly decrease fuel consumption. Prof. Broadbent highlights that pushing the limits of a conventional computer, such as a personal laptop, to simulate QC is an avant-garde process. It enables an understanding of the lower limits of QC and how it differs from classical computers. A significant by-product of this process is the development of better software for conventional computers.
FoQaCiA’s results will also provide a framework for Prof. Broadbent to develop secure communications and computations. A focal area of her research is quantum cryptography techniques. Prof. Broadbent describes the cryptography advancement through this project as important in terms of ensuring privacy of quantum computations and communications. With the novel understanding of QC to be enabled by FoQaCiA, new and stronger levels of security will be possible via quantum physics.
Also joining the University of Ottawa as part of FoQaCia is postdoctoral fellow Joshua Nevin, who is working with Prof. Broadbent. Joshua completed his PhD in the department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo in 2021, and, as part of FoQaCia, is studying fundamental questions in QC dealing with the relationship between quantum cryptography and the simulation of QC by classical computers.
Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize fields like cryptography, drug discovery, and optimization, but there is still much research and development needed to make it a reality. Thus, FoQaCiA is of great importance to build connections and facilitate the sharing the expertise of top mathematicians, computer scientists and physicists from around the world, which is essential to solve fundamental questions in QC.
Read more:
