Quantum computer
양자컴퓨터
A new kind of computer that uses the physics of the very small (quantum mechanics) to calculate.
Overview
An ordinary computer calculates with bits, which are either 0 or 1. A quantum computer uses qubits, which can be 0 and 1 at the same time. For some problems, this lets it work through a huge number of possibilities all at once, in a sense.
It is not an all-purpose machine that does everything faster. It is expected to be strong at certain problems, such as molecule calculations to find new drugs or materials, picking complex routes, and breaking codes. Today it still makes many errors, so it is in the stage of experiments and early use.
An everyday example
If an ordinary computer tries the paths of a maze one by one, a quantum computer is often compared to pouring water in and letting it flow down every path at once to find the exit. The real principle is more subtle, but the feeling is similar.
Why it matters
It could shake today's encryption and greatly change drug, battery and financial calculations, so countries and big companies are racing to invest in it.
Also calledquantum computing