Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Professor Arik looked at the journal in his hand with a disappointed expression on his face.
He couldn't help but curse angrily.
"This is utter nonsense!"
"A 524-qubit quantum computer … How is this possible!"
As a professor of physics and quantum information engineering at the University of Southern California, he was also a distinguished researcher on the quantum computer project at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He was also a consultant for Google's "D-Wave" project. No one knew more about quantum computers than he did.
He even participated in the research and development of the famous quantum annealing algorithm.
Even though there was controversy in the academic community about whether the quantum annealing algorithm could be called a quantum computer, no one had been able to find evidence of the so-called "quantum acceleration". However, it was undeniable that D-Wave
2X still held the record for the highest qubit.
Google and NASA were working on the development of D-Wave
3X, a computer that ran in an ultra-low temperature environment, would redefine the world's understanding of quantum computer technology.
But even then, they were still skeptical about D-Wave.
The 3X's expectation was only 100 qubits.
But now, someone claimed to have developed a 524-qubit quantum computer and published this paper in a world-class journal like "Future".
In addition to feeling like his intelligence was insulted, he was also furious about this irresponsible paper.
Every false paper would destroy the industry's confidence in new technology. This kind of irresponsible research would not only destroy the scholars who researched it, but it would also destroy the entire industry.
Not to mention, this wasn't the first time!
The last time was at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In recent months, there had been many reports of quantum computer technology breakthroughs across the Pacific Ocean.
Dr. Cecil, who was also reading the thesis in his office, looked at Professor Arik's angry face. He hesitated for a second before speaking.
"But … the author of this paper seems to be Professor Lu."
"So?"
"It turns out that Future publishes some interesting research. I once naively thought that it might become the third largest journal in the world and bring some changes to our academic community. I didn't expect them to be so optimistic. In the end … "
Professor Arik's disappointment became more and more obvious.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and threw the journal in his hand into the trash can.
"… In the end, it became a propaganda tool for China's official organizations."
Dr. Cecil looked at the disappointed Professor Arik and didn't know what to say.
In fact, his viewpoint was actually quite similar to Professor Arik's.
Before the quantum memory came out, he couldn't think of any possibility to increase the performance of a quantum computer to more than 100 qubits, let alone 524.
The technology involved was not as simple as adding and subtracting, but increasing exponentially!
However, he was conflicted. He didn't believe that the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study was so far ahead of them in this technology, and he didn't believe that person was lying …
"Actually, you don't have to be so angry."
"How can I not be angry!" Professor Arik said angrily, "They're wasting the industry's confidence in quantum computing technology! What's being consumed is the future of us researchers! "
"Don't be so pessimistic. The confidence of the industry is not that fragile," Dr. Cecil said comfortingly.
He had invested one billion yuan in the 3X project, and there would be more investment in the future. Also, immersive VR technology will soon be introduced to North America, so Google is determined to win the quantum computing technology. "
Professor Arik shook his head and sighed.
"I really envy you for being so optimistic at a time like this."
Dr. Cecil smiled bitterly at his colleague's ridicule.
Optimistic?
Is this really the case?
He didn't know which side was optimistic.
…
The news of the quantum computer technology breakthrough set off an earthquake in the semiconductor industry.
A 524 qubit computer …
This was almost more than the sum of all the publicly available qubits.
If this thesis was published somewhere else, the industry would just laugh it off. However, she published it in the world's top journal, "Future".
Not just that, but the corresponding author of the paper was Professor Lu.
With these two factors added together, no matter how inconceivable the content of the article seemed, it became impossible to ignore.
The impact quickly spread from the semiconductor industry to other fields.
Almost all industries related to the Internet were evaluating the positive and negative impact of this technological breakthrough. Not only that, but almost everyone wanted to know if this matter was real, or if it was a blunder or a joke …
The eve of the 20th Asia-Pacific Cyber Security Summit.
A five-star hotel near the Shanghai International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Hansa Kleck was sitting by the window in the executive lounge. He was looking at the news on his tablet with a worried expression on his face.
As the world's largest non-profit organization for network, information, software, and infrastructure security certification, the International Information System Security Certification Alliance (ISC2) shouldered the important responsibility of maintaining the world's Internet security.
He was the chairman of ISC2 and one of the organizers of this Cyber Security Summit.
This piece of news about quantum computer technology was completely out of his expectations and completely disrupted his original plan. If the description of this 524 qubit quantum computer was true, then China's initiative to promote quantum encryption algorithms had to be seriously considered.
Mr. Rupert, the secretary-general of ISC2, was sitting across from Chairman Kleck. He also had a serious expression on his face.
Just ten minutes ago, he called an expert in the field of information engineering and asked for his opinion on this news. For the time being, he didn't think about whether this was a smokescreen released by the Chinese. He only discussed from a technical point of view.
Once a 524 qubit computer technology really appeared, it would be a devastating blow to today's international standard encryption algorithms.
Before more reliable encryption algorithms were popularized, all industries that relied on information technology, such as finance and manufacturing, would enter a security vacuum period. All secrets would no longer be kept secret …
"The timing of this thesis is too special. The Chinese media has been hyping this thesis so much that people can't help but wonder if there's a motive behind it."
Kleck didn't look up. He was still staring at the tablet in his hand.
"What do you think?"
Rupert looked at the lights outside the window and tapped his index finger on the table. He thought for a moment and spoke.
"There are two possibilities. Either the Chinese are promoting this Asia-Pacific Cyber Security Summit, or it is true."
"Which one is more likely?"
"The latter."
Chairman Kleck raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Oh yeah?"
Rupert knew that the chairman was asking about his theory, so he spoke softly.
"The reason is simple. The corresponding author of this paper is Professor Lu."
"Just because of this?"
Chairman Kleck smiled faintly. Although the dignified expression on his face didn't change at all, his tone was a bit intriguing.
"… Under the premise of the first possibility, Professor Lu's signature doesn't mean anything. He comes from a country that pursues collectivism. For the national interest of China, he might say something against his will. "
Rupert: "Has this happened before?"
Chairman Kleck's turbid pupils never moved away from the tablet as he spoke thoughtfully.
He spoke thoughtfully, "No … But not in the past."
Rupert continued to ask.
"Then do you think this possibility is worth betting on?"
This time, Kleck was silent.
Yeah …
That was the problem.
Regardless of whether they believed it or not, they didn't have the confidence to bet on this possibility.
Information security was the lifeblood of the global economy, military, and even politics. When it came to information security, they could only consider the "worst-case" situation.
Suddenly, the phone in Rupert's pocket rang.
"I'm going to take a call."
Chairman Kleck looked at Rupert, who had already stood up. He nodded and gestured for him to do as he pleased.
Rupert walked to the side, took out her phone from her pocket, and pressed the answer button.
Kleck was still sitting in his original position. He had been observing the expression on the Secretary-General's face, trying to see something interesting from his expression.
In fact, Kleck did see something interesting.
Time quickly passed by, and the expression on Secretary-General Rupert's face became more and more dignified.
Finally, the phone call was over.
Rupert put the phone back into his pocket and sat back down at the table. He took a deep breath. His face was filled with a more dignified look than before, as well as a trace of obvious worry.
Before Kleck could speak, he spoke first.
"Bad news.
"I think … we don't have to speculate about whether or not that paper is a smokescreen thrown out by the Chinese."
Chairman Kleck paused for a second and frowned slightly.
"What happened?"
"My old friend in the field of information engineering, the person I consulted about the industry's views on quantum computer technology …" Rupert paused for a second and said, "Just now, he called me.
"Star Sky Technology plans to build a new supercomputing center in Shanghai to provide computing power support for their virtual reality network in East China. According to the information they announced on their official website, the processor used in this supercomputing center … "
Rupert gulped and spoke with difficulty.
"I think it's quantum computing technology."
Lamp pen
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
