One thing is certain about the future of complex computing: it is going quantum. This futuristic technology has the ability to complete tasks in minutes that would take traditional computers years. It’s so powerful that it poses a real threat to things like passwords and crypto (opens in a new tab). Experts even warn against a quantum apocalypse (opens in a new tab)because of how easily quantum computing could disrupt our conventional security standards.
For now, quantum computing is mostly reserved for those who can afford it, which is usually not the case for individuals. Instead, it’s mostly limited to large corporations and universities that conduct research using extremely powerful and expensive quantum mainframe computers. There is some very basic personal information quantum computers you can buy (opens in a new tab) but they cost more than your dream PC gaming setup and will likely serve you half as much. If you’re looking to get into quantum, even if it’s just to find out if quantum would work for you, there aren’t many options.
Quantum Brilliance (opens in a new tab) is an Australian start-up that seeks to make quantum more accessible to a wider range of users, without the need for a dedicated quantum computer. Quantum Brilliance aims to move away from the current mainframe model to smaller quantum accelerators that can operate at room temperature and without complex lasers. These are much less powerful than the IBM 127-qubit quantum monstrosity (opens in a new tab), but much more manageable too. They do this using diamonds. I mean it, and it’s almost as magical as it sounds.
It is actually the defect in the lattice composition of the diamond crystal that makes them useful. These diamonds have an extra nitrogen atom and no carbon atom, giving them a center that is empty of nitrogen. These can be used as a qubit in quantum computing which can also be manipulated at room temperature. While the end result isn’t as huge as a huge quantum mainframe, it’s also much more manageable. It’s a nifty way to make these server-sized quantum accelerators.
Crystal (opens in a new tab) is a freely available software development kit built on Python and C++ that should work on just about any machine. Applications developed in Qristal can currently run on quantum simulators, and will one day be tested on real quantum accelerators.
If you can’t wait for it, the Qristal emulator (opens in a new tab) mimics these diamond quantum accelerators and can also run these applications. It gives developers the ability to test their algorithms and can even tell them how many qubits their task would need to do a better job than their current mainstream computers. It can also be run on classic hardware, cloud services, or high-end arrays. What it can achieve will depend on the hardware powering it at the time, giving people the ability to dive into it.
Qristal and its emulator are scheduled for full release in 2023. At the moment, Qristal is available here on github in open beta (opens in a new tab). Quantum Brilliance encourages interested parties to join the project and test things out. If you’ve been wanting to dip your toes into the quantum realm, this is a great opportunity without needing your own diamonds.