Quantum computing has been in the works for quite some time and scientists think that we are closer than ever before to bringing the idea of Quantum computers to life. Since physicist Paul Benioff first applied quantum theory to computers in 1981, scientists around the world have been trying to get a better grasp on the revolutionary idea of quantum physics and computer science coming together in one machine.

Quantum computers, sounds great but how is it different from any ordinary PC. The difference is in the Turn Table machine, a part of a computer’s microchip that spins a limitless reel of tape that shows either a 0, 1, or nothing at all. These 0’s and 1’s are spun in front of a Read-Write device, which reads the symbols and tells the computer to perform specific tasks based off what it read.

A quantum microchip has a Turn Table that can show 0’s and 1’s too, however it can show a superposition as well. A superposition is 0, 1, and everything in between; it’s basically both at the same time. This allows the quantum computer to perform multiple tasks rather than just one at a time, making the quantum computer around 600x faster than most average PC’s.

While most of quantum computing is only theory and not much has been proven yet, that doesn’t mean we aren’t close to a breakthrough.  According to Yale Physicist Rob Schoelkopf we are getting close to the dream, he stated, “it’s hard to estimate how long it will be until we have functional quantum computers, but it will be sooner than we think.” For now, all people can do is hope that quantum computing becomes more clear in the years to come.