SAE Update - August 2022 - 13

TECH FOCUS:
QUANTUM COMPUTiNg
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Impact of Quantum
Computing in Aerospace
Rhonda D. Walthall
Sunil Dixit, PhD
EMERGING ISSUES IN NEW MOBILITY
evidence of the building blocks of the
universe, but also infinite possibilities of
the quantum phenomena that can harness
the power of the quanta for the next
generation of computing: quantum
computing (QC). QC is no longer science
fiction, but rather a foreseeable reality
within the next few decades. "
The reports co-authors are SAE Board
Director Rhonda Walthall and Sunil Dixit,
Ph.D. What follows is the remainder of the
report's introduction.
" To understand this microscopic quantum
universe and how QC works, we must first
understand the quantum phenomena by
comparing what we know from classical
physics, classical limitations, and what we
UPDATE
observe in nature for the quantum
phenomena. In fact, the study of quantum
physics reveals that " cause and effect " are
not linear in time.
This is because time is not a fundamental
part of the universe. There are limits to the
amount of information and precision that
one can extract from a quantum system
(i.e., limited by the uncertainty principle).
Measurements in the quantum realm are
probability distributions while precision is
limited by Planck's constant in the
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. For
instance, a measurement of time is precise
to Planck's constant while the simultaneous
measurement of energy cannot be
precisely known (this statement is also true
for simultaneous measurements of
momentum and position).
Light has dual properties in nature known
as the " wave/particle duality. " Light can
behave as particles (i.e., as photons in the
photoelectric effect) or as waves (i.e.,
described as de Broglie waves producing
interference patterns); waves and particles
are not distinct in quantum physics.
Similarly, photons, electrons, protons,
neutrons, and the entire particle zoo
behave both as particles and waves.
The paradox where a quantum system
such as the " quantum bit " or " qubit " can
simultaneously exist in separate quantum
states is known as the " quantum
superposition principle. " A qubit can be
formed, for instance, by two entangled (i.e.,
intertwined) electrons in opposite spin
August 2022
13

https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/epr2022014/

SAE Update - August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAE Update - August 2022