What is it you do with quantum computing?
Check out what we’re doing at Bleximo -
http://www.bleximo.com . We are building special-purpose quantum computation systems that we call quantum accelerators. These accelerators work together with classical computers to solve problems that classical computers aren’t able to solve on their own.
Why did you become interested in quantum computing?
I started research at Georgia Tech my freshman year of undergrad, working on neutral atom quantum memories. All I knew how to do was solder electronics (thanks, high school robotics!). I spent the first semester building laser locking boxes for the experimental setup and then built a new Rydberg atom quantum memory experiment from the ground up. As time went on, I moved into superconducting qubits, algorithms, and the implications of large scale quantum computers to the security landscape.
What do you think will be the biggest benefit/improvement to the world as a result of quantum computing?
While breaking encryption is one of the biggest scare tactics of quantum computing and it gets a lot of press, for me, a natural (and more near term and consequential) benefit will be simulating quantum systems.
It’s hard to simulate quantum systems on a classical computer, but it’s much easier on a quantum computer. Quantum systems are everywhere - if we’re able to do this in the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, it can accelerate fundamental physics, which in turn will lead to advances in classical and quantum technology, and even medicine and materials (molecular simulations).
I don’t think we’ve yet seen the extent of the impact quantum computing could bring. With IBM and D-Wave releasing their quantum computers to the cloud, people in different industries will be exploring new applications and contributing to the field in novel ways.
What is the best way for people to follow your work?
Thanks Anastasia for taking the time to answer these questions and sharing your insights!