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Quantum computing is an area of computer science which leverages quantum mechanics to solve complex, time-consuming problems which are too hard for classical computers.  Quantum mechanics is based on and the principles of quantum theory which explains the behavior of energy and matter at the quantum (atomic and subatomic levels) level.

Quantum computing is to be performed on quantum computers which are emerging technology devices which are able to perform quantum computations.  The fundamental attribute of quantum computers is in the way information is represented.  

• The unit of information in quantum computing is a qubit (CUE-bit). 

• A qubit, like a bit, has two states 0 and 1 however the use of subatomic particles enables qubits to have more than one state.

• Think of a qubit as an electron moving in its circular orbit with the electron in the “north” position representing 1 and the electron in the “south” position representing 0.

• Any other location is called a superposition which is somewhere between 0 and 1.

• These superpositions enable the qubit to have a virtually infinite number of states.

Quantum computers obey the Church-Turing principles which means they can solve the same problems as traditional computers.  

So what’s the big deal with quantum computing?

When classical computers add more bits they grow linearly, when quantum computers add qubits they grow exponentially.  This enables quantum computers to solve certain types of problems much faster than classical computers; this property is known as quantum supremacy. These same problems would take classical computers billions of years to solve.

The problem domains where quantum computing is expected to be very useful include:

• Post-quantum cryptography
• Search problems
• Machine learning
• Running simulations
• Solving linear equations

Domains and industries which would be great beneficiaries of quantum computing include::

• Encryption and security
• Big data search
• New drug discovery and design
• Nuclear fusion
• Polymer design
• Digital manufacturing
• Weather forecasting
• Portfolio management and hedging
• Natural resources exploration