Three core concepts of quantum computing and why they matter. Bits and Qubits: Unlike traditional computers, which use bits to process information, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits to perform calculations in powerful new ways. A regular bit is either a 1 or a 0, but a qubit can represent a 1 or a 0 or both at once. Superposition: This allows a single qubit to hold much more information than a regular bit. It enables a much larger number of states. This means a group of qubits represent a vastly larger number of states at the same time – exponentially more than a similar number of digital bits. Entanglement: A correlation between qubits where they share some common information. Taken together, superposition and entanglement allow vastly more powerful algorithms by employing the correlations to emphasize the correct answer to a problem. Fast Fact: A system made of just 50 qubits would be too complex to be simulated by today’s fastest supercomputers.

1. More about IBM Research:
• For more than seven decades, IBM Research has
defined the future of information technology with
approximately 3,000 researchers in 12 labs located
on six continents. Scientists from IBM Research
have produced six Nobel Laureates, 10 U.S.
National Medals of Technology, five U.S. National
Medals of Science, six Turing Awards, 19 inductees
in the National Academy of Sciences, and 20
inductees into the U.S. National Inventors Hall
of Fame.
• Outstanding scientific achievements from IBM
Research include FORTRAN, magnetic disk
storage, DRAM, relational databases, Deep Blue,
Racetrack Memory, speech recognition, RISC
architecture, excimer laser surgery, quantum
computing, neuromorphic chips, and Watson.
• In addition to conducting fundamental research,
IBM Research is dedicated to exploring and
creating innovative industry solutions based on
strategic areas such as cognitive computing and
artificial intelligence, security and privacy, Internet of
Things, data-centric systems, next-generation
silicon technology, brain-inspired devices and
infrastructure, and advanced analytics.
What we announced:
• IBM Research announced it will make quantum
computing available to anyone through the IBM
Cloud. This first-of-a-kind platform, called the IBM
Quantum Experience, provides access to a
quantum processor housed at IBM’s Thomas J.
Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY.
• By giving hands-on access, the IBM Quantum
Experience will make it easier for researchers,
students and the science enthusiasts to accelerate
innovations in the quantum field and help discover
new applications for this technology.
• Users will be able to run algorithms and experiments
on IBM’s quantum processor, which is composed of
five superconducting quantum bits (qubits) and
represents the latest achievement in IBM’s quantum
architecture that can scale to larger quantum
systems. IBM Research plans to add more qubits
and different processor arrangements over time, so
users can expand their experiments.
Quantum computing advancements:
• For decades, IBM scientists have worked on the
challenges and tantalizing promise of quantum
computing, contributing to its inception as well as
critical experimental research.
• With Moore’s Law running out of steam, quantum
computing will be among the technologies that
IBM believes will usher in a new era of innovation
across industries.
• Quantum computing could, for example, lead to
the discovery of new pharmaceutical drugs,
completely safeguard cloud computing systems,
unlock new facets of artificial intelligence, or
develop new materials science to transform
industries.
• IBM’s quantum computing platform is a core
initiative within the newly formed IBM Research
Frontiers Institute. The Frontiers Institute is a
consortium that develops and shares ground-
breaking technologies to spur world-changing
innovations.
May 4, 2016Behind the News
IBM Research:
Quantum Computing Now Available on IBM Cloud