A Very Gentle Introduction to Quantum Computing

 

Steven L. Richardson

Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Howard University

Wed, April 19, 2023 - 4:00 PM

Billions of dollars have been spent by companies, governments, and universities around the world on quantum computing. Hopefully these investments will create a new type of supercomputer which will revolutionize our ability to design novel drugs, forecast weather conditions, and create new materials for important applications in electronics and communications. These quantum computers could perform calculations in seconds that would take today’s so-called classical supercomputers hundreds of years to do. Advances in quantum computing are going to require the skills of computer scientists, physicists, engineers, chemists, mathematicians, and biologists. It is our goal in today’s lecture to explain to the non-expert how quantum computers are different from modern classical supercomputers. There still exist many challenges in designing quantum computers so you can not yet walk down to the nearest brick-and-mortar store to buy one or even purchase one on-line. Finally, we will discuss how quantum computing can help motivate a new generation of young people to pursue exciting careers in science and engineering.

Refreshments served at 3:45 PM

If you have any questions about the Colloquium Series  or would like to make a donation please contact the Physics Department, cua-physics@cua.edu or (202) 319-5315.