SPEEDING ON THE DIGITAL FREEWAY

Be it quantum computing or AI, Indian govt and private players are taking up the development of new-age tech on mission mode. There can’t be any let-up now

- Ajay Sukumaran

At the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai, work to build India's first quantum computer is nearing completion. When ready, this small-scale quantum computer will be a significant milestone for TIFR's Quantum Measurement and Control (QuMaC) lab, established 12 years ago to address fundamental challenges in building quantum systems. Dr R. Vijayaraghavan, who heads QuMaC, sees the project as a crucial first step for India that will "allow us to get into this game".

The project they are working on, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), involves designing key components, such as the quantum processing unit, electronics and software-each of which presents multiple levels of complexity.

A quantum bit or qubit is the basic unit of a quantum computing system. Think of it as the equivalent of bits, building blocks of the conventional computers. But while a bit exists in binaries (of either o or 1), a qubit can hold both values at the same time.

This ability to be in multiple states simultaneously is known as superposition, which means a quantum computer can theoretically tackle far more complex calculations than even the most powerful supercomputer today.