Quantum Computing For Dummies

Chapter 11

Choosing a Qubit Type

IN THIS CHAPTER

Identifying the players

Finding trapped ions and superconductors and more, oh my!

Identifying your best strategy for quantum computing

The Space Race began as a mano-a-mano contest for dominance between two nation-states and their allies. But once the initial target was reached, and humanity had walked, driven around, and hit a few golf balls on the Moon, competition in space went relatively quiet for decades. Only now are there plans to return people to the Moon. (We’re guessing we’ll see some quantum advantage before more moonwalks happen.)

And a funny thing happened: The Space Race is no longer a one-on-one sprint between two competing political ideologies. It’s more like a space decathlon, with lots of competitors, many events, and more than one way to stand out in the crowd.

The quantum computing world is evolving in the same direction. In geopolitical terms, there is a new rivalry, with the West — including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the European countries of the EU — largely competing with China. Meanwhile, a good deal of scientific cooperation still exists, and we hope that cooperation will far outweigh competition ...