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

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
Watch News Today