Quantum Computer "Jiuzhang" Achieves a Breakthrough: 4 Minutes vs. Billions of Y

[yhiaali3]

Quantum Computer "Jiuzhang" Achieves a Breakthrough: 4 Minutes vs. Billions of Years!**

This study isn't about Bitcoin, but rather about supercomputers(Quantum Computer). However, since we've discussed the threat quantum computers pose to Bitcoin more than once, I thought I'd post it here.
If the Moderator feels this isn't the right place for it, please move it to the appropriate section.

In a stunning leap toward the future, a Chinese quantum computer named Jiuzhang has solved a complex problem known as Boson Sampling in just 4 minutes — a task that would have taken even the fastest classical supercomputer **billions of years** to complete!

Jiuzhang was developed using a photonic-based system and includes 76 qubits. This remarkable device is built from lasers, mirrors, prisms, and photon detectors, and it uses a technique called Gaussian Boson Sampling — a highly intricate process that involves calculating the paths of photons after they pass through a dense network of optical components.

At first glance, it might seem simple: photons go in from one side and come out the other after passing through **beam splitters and mirrors. But the reality is far more complex. The network used in the experiment had 100 input ports, 100 output ports, 300 beam splitters, and 75 mirrors**. The computer's task was to precisely determine where the photons would exit, taking into account the effects of every beam splitter — since a photon may be reflected or transmitted depending on the moment it hits the splitter.

This kind of problem is incredibly difficult for traditional computers due to the enormous number of possible outcomes and the inherently unpredictable quantum behavior of photons. But thanks to quantum mechanical principles like superposition and entanglement, Jiuzhang was able to perform the calculations at unprecedented speed — offering strong evidence of what's known as quantum supremacy: when a quantum computer solves a problem that no classical computer can solve in any reasonable time frame.

Although the practical applications of this technology are still in their early stages, it holds promising potential in fields like quantum chemistry, mathematics, and the development of quantum internet technologies.

For more scientific details: [Study link](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe8770)

This study isn't about Bitcoin, but rather about supercomputers. However, since we've discussed the threat quantum computers pose to Bitcoin more than once, I thought I'd post it here.

If the cryptographer feels this isn't the right place for it, please move it to the appropriate section.

I don't know how much exaggeration there is. Is it conceivable that quantum computers could accomplish in four minutes what conventional computers would take billions of years? I can't imagine that! Is this true, or is it just an exaggeration?!!

[ABCbits]

I wonder how many member on this forum is smart and experienced enough to understand this paper properly. While i don't whether it's exaggeration, i'm sure 76 qubits isn't enough to be a threat for Bitcoin.

--snip--
I did some research in past, but got conflicting information. One source says 1500 qubits[1], while other says 13 million qubits[2]. I think there are stuff i don't understand, but i doubt 1500 qubits estimation is true.

[1] https://security.stackexchange.com/a/96880
[2] https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2022/02/breaking-245-bit-elliptic-curve-encryption-with-a-quantum-computer.html