Ikerbasque Researcher: Enrique Solano
Quantum Information and Quantum Technologies
In which aspects of our daily lives do we find examples where quantum algorithms are used?
In a wide-ranging sense a quantum algorithm is a series of quantum operations that act on a set of microscopic parts, undertaking calculations or specific quantum procedures. Current scientific knowledge seems to suggest that all processes in nature, both microscopic and macroscopic, are governed by quantum physics. With this perspective, our minds, our bodies, objects in our daily lives, our entire universe would be constantly executing quantum algorithms.
In a more strict sense, as experts in this new area called Quantum Information we aim at designing new quantum programmes, a new quantum software composed of algorithms with scientific and technological goals, sometimes applied and specific. But this fantasy is not enough for us; we are also looking to implement these quantum algorithms in a tangible manner in the laboratories, using and developing new quantum technologies in atoms, photons and in semiconductor and superconductor devices. While achieving stepwise this new form of calculation and information processing, we are gradually approaching the dream of a quantum computer with its incredible speeds. In the history of science there are many examples that have taught us that, pursuing apparently impossible goals, we find marvellous worlds close to us, full of knowledge and with important technological applications that have changed and are changing our lives on a daily basis.
In one of your latest works you concluded that Quantum Physics prohibited the use of classical industrial criteria, such as sequential assembly, in the microscopic world. Could you give us an example of this and explain what is meant by this “prohibition”?
Let us imagine that the engineers of a factory wish to design a machine that connects a certain number of parts in such a way that each part is interlinked with the rest by means of different cables. Placing all these cables simultaneously in position is, without doubt, complicated and inefficient. A study of times and movements can reduce the design of this machine to a sequential process in which each part passes only once in front of the machine. Engineers are clever people, the assembly is more secure and efficient, and it is in this way that line manufacturing is currently done in the factories. Our research looked for a universal recipe for implementing sequential assemblies in a factory of the microscopic world, where the behaviour of photons and atoms is ruled by the laws of quantum physics. To our great surprise, the result was negative, a quantum prohibition. That is, it is impossible to place quantum cables between various parts in a sequential manner and, in consequence, in-line or sequential quantum manufacture is not allowed. The negative result is even more impressive when we showed that in the quantum world it is not even possible to place sequentially a single cable between two pieces, even though the machine is allowed to use infinite resources in attempting to do so.
What has accepting the Ikerbasque contract meant for you and your professional career?
Accepting the offer from Ikerbasque has given me the opportunity to make an important step ahead in my scientific career, a step of intellectual independence and scientific maturity. It has given me the responsibility of creating a competitive and top class research team, and of influencing both local and international scientific communities, with the accumulated experience over the years in various countries and top-level institutions. We scientists are motivated by challenges. Ikerbasque has provided me with firm support and the means to take on these challenges.
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