This first post is a living document meaning that I’ll come back to it over time as my studies continue. It will be a simple Q&A format where I can document some of the biggest questions I run into, and eventually document the answers.
Mathematics Questions
What are the key math concepts necessary to understand quantum computing?
- Linear Algebra
Physics Questions
What are the key physics concepts necessary to understand quantum computing?
- Electricity & Circuits
- Quantum Physics
Engineering Questions
What are the key engineering concepts necessary to participate in the industry?
- ???
Hardware Questions
What are the major types of quantum computers?
- Superconductor
- Trapped Ion
- ???
What are the most advanced superconductor based quantum computers on the market?
- IBM?
- Microsoft?
- ???
What are the most advanced ion trap based quantum computers on the market?
- Quantinuum
- ???
How does the IBM quantum computer work?
- ???
How does the Microsoft quantum computer work?
- ???
How does the Quantinuum quantum computer work?
- ???
What are the major sub-technologies?
- Quadrapole/Paul Ion Trap
- Gates
- etc.
How does a quadrapole ion trap work?
- RF etc.
How do gates work in general?
- ???
How do gates work for each specific architecture?
- Lazers?
- ???
What are the most useful metrics for comparing quantum computers?
- Qbits
- Logical Qbits
- Quantum Mass
- Quantum FLOPS?
What are the major technical bottlenecks?
- The wiring problem
- ???
Software Questions
What are the major software packages?
- IBM?
- Microsoft Q#
- ???
What are the major quantum algorithms?
- Shores algorithms?
- Random Generators?
How do you go about writing a quantum algorithims?
- ???
What makes a good candadite for a quantum algorithim?
- ???
How are classical computers being used to supplement quantum computing?
- Error correction in logical Qbits
- I/O
- ???
Industry Questions
What are the major use cases for quantum computing?
- Material science
- Chemical science
- Finance
- Cybersecurity
- Biotech
- ???
What are the bottlenecks for each use case?
- ???
What are the major use cases for non-computing quantum technology?
- GPS
- Quantum Communication
- ???
What are the bottlenecks for each non-computing use case?
- ???
What makes up the quantum vertical?
- Hardware
- Software
- Networking
- Supporting (materials, production, energy, etc.)
What are the major regional hubs of quantum activity?
- Denver/Boulder
- Chicago
- ???
- China?
Within each regional hub, who are the major players?
- For-Profit Companies
- Government Agencies
- Academic Institutions
- Non-Profit / Open-Source
- Venture Funding
- Other Funding
- Consulting
- Workforce Training?
- Non-Quantum Interested Parties (finance companies, Ford?, etc.)
- ???
For any parties providing funding, what results do they want to see?
- ???
What industry collectives/standards bodies exist?
- ???
What government regulation exists?
- ???
What are the major dates and deadlines in the industry?
- Quarterly reports?
- World Quantum Day?
- ???
Media Questions
What academic journals are worth following?
- ???
What journalists are worth following?
- Me, obviously
- ???
What educational resources already exist?
- Formal academic training
- ???
What conferences exist?
- ???
What professional organizations exist (both locally and remote)?
Boulder:
- I think there’s a MeetUp group?
- ???
Remote:
- ???