IBM are hoping to bring forward the development of quantum computing by providing a cloud service for researchers. It is a brave move and as part of the scheme they are allowing groups that are interested in the use of a five-qubit quantum computer. At present, the New York IBM research lab is home to the hardware and IBM will set up a programming interface and give access to a quantum computer that will let experimental programmes be run.
A big problem is going to be the cooling system as this needs to be large and has to be kept extremely cold. There is also the issue of the amount of information that is stored plus the fact that it is not static means that it is hard to carry out analysis.
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Pund-IT Inc. analyst Charles King said that there are some essential differences between quantum and conventional computers including the use of qubits that can be off, on or both. At present, the machine runs five qubits, but it would need to be 50-100 qubits before it outran superfast computers already in use.
IBM are still using silicone to there are blocks faced before consistent use is achieved. Earl Joseph of IDC believes the biggest hurdles will be putting together the computer and then working out how to programme it. He added that other companies are working on quantum computers including Google and NASA Ames and think others will join in over the next few years. Hopefully, a team will be established, and research can go forward.
