What is a Quokka?
Imagine the smile of a quokka, often dubbed “the world’s happiest animal,” native to small pockets of Western Australia. These small, charismatic marsupials are renowned for their friendly nature and photogenic smiles, capturing hearts worldwide. But what does a quokka have to do with quantum computing? Enter (capital Q) Quokka, your personal quantum computer emulator. Just as the real-life quokka invites us into a world of wonder and curiosity with its approachable demeanor, our Quokka project aims to demystify the often complex and intimidating realm of quantum computing.
Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing is not only the next frontier of information technology, but also the ultimate limits according to the known laws of physics. It’s not only necessary for progress, but inevitable given it.
We don’t yet know the full potential of quantum computing, but we already have some ideas on how we will use it. Quantum computers will be able to break currently used encryption, which has obvious ramifications that are being felt today as governments switch to more resilient schemes in anticipation. More altruistic goals have quantum computers solving problems that will help design new drugs and fertilizers. Ultimately, a quantum computer will solve new problems we haven’t even dreamed of given the limitations of our current technology.
As you can see in the 7-million-times-viewed video above, quantum computing has hit the mainstream — but there is a problem. It’s a nascent technology that is still in its early development. While the pictures of today’s quantum computers look extremely cool, the conversation quickly goes off the rails when the inevitable question is asked.
What Does It Do?
The typical answer — never the correct one — comes in one of three flavors.
- Point to what future quantum computers might do. Quantum algorithms are steps a quantum computer should take to solve problems in exactly the same way digital algorithms are carried out as steps in a digital computer. Some problems can be solved in far fewer steps using quantum algorithms. Such problems include factoring numbers, simulating physics and chemistry, searching databases, and possibly optimizing functions (that could affect finance, logistics, weather prediction, etc.).
- Divert to the amazing engineering and cool physics inside. Quantum computers require extremely atypical environments. Some must be cooled with liquid helium, making them colder than outer space. Others are placed in vacuum chambers with fewer than a thousand particles per liter. This is all in an effort to reduce unwanted interactions of environmental noise with quantum systems like atoms or photons, which exhibit unique behavior when isolated. Quantum physics is our most fundamental theory of reality, so such a device represents the ultimate computational ability in the cosmos.
- Distract with oversimplified descriptions of the mechanics. Digital computers work with bits, each a zero or one, while quantum computers use the qubit, which can be zero and one at the same time! Also, quantum computers use entanglement, which Einstein even called “spooky,” and perform computation in parallel universes.
The latter is just plain wrong, while the former two are correct but do not describe at all what a quantum computer sitting in front of you actually does. The thing is, today’s quantum computers are largely experimental and primarily serve as platforms for research rather than practical applications. Occasionally, they are used in the context of education, but their application in that space is very narrow.
The problem with something that’s called a quantum computer today is that they are incredibly error-prone. After less than a second, the entire computation is corrupted. In other words, the device does not perform the instructions requested of it. Now, this is a great educational segue to quantum engineering but a terrible situation for education in quantum programming. After all, no one but quantum engineers would refer to something that can’t compute what you ask it to a “computer.”
The Inspiration Behind Quokka
I’ve been teaching quantum computing for 15 years. Traditionally, quantum computing is taught as an extension of quantum physics. However, for the past four years, I have been teaching it as a stand-alone subject to those without any background in physics. An entirely new approach was needed for such students.
The main problem with quantum education is its abstract nature. Students struggle to grasp the concepts without tangible experiences. Quantum physics, by its very nature, is not intuitive. You can’t see or touch quantum phenomena, and the mathematical formalism can be daunting. This abstractness leads to a significant educational barrier, making quantum computing seem inaccessible to many.
In late 2020, Simon Devitt and I had a pivotal discussion where we tried to compare the trajectory of quantum computing with digital computing, particularly in terms of the software side. We noted a fascinating historical parallel: the early days of digital computing were marked by hobbyists experimenting with limited interfaces. These early pioneers, like Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak, were not deterred by the rudimentary capabilities of the hardware. Instead, they were inspired to create software that expanded what computers could do, driving innovation in ways that the original hardware designers hadn’t envisioned. They were motivated by curiosity, a love for tinkering, and a vision of what computing could become.
This conversation sparked an idea: what if we could create something for quantum computing that mirrored this early environment of digital computing? We envisioned a platform that would not only make quantum computing more accessible but would also inspire a new generation of quantum hobbyists. These individuals could experiment, learn, and perhaps even discover new applications for quantum computing, much like their digital counterparts did decades ago.
We wanted to harken back to that era — a time when the barriers to entry were low, and the potential for creativity and innovation was high. Our goal was to demystify quantum computing, making it as approachable and engaging as programming a personal computer was in the 1980s. This led to the birth of Quokka, a tool designed to bring the quantum world within reach of enthusiasts, students, and educators alike, regardless of their background in physics.
Quokka is our answer to the challenge of quantum education’s abstractness. By providing a hands-on quantum computing experience, we aim to bridge the gap between abstract quantum algorithms and tangible learning outcomes. Just as the real-life quokka embodies friendliness and approachability, Quokka, the quantum computer emulator, invites users into the quantum realm with an open paw, offering a platform where learning is driven by curiosity and exploration.
This endeavor is about more than creating an educational tool; it’s about fostering a community where anyone can explore quantum computing. By making quantum computing accessible, we believe we’re opening the door to a world of possibilities, just waiting to be discovered by the next generation of quantum enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The essence of quantum computing is not just in the computational leaps it promises but in the minds it inspires. Projects like Quokka are pivotal not because they offer a direct path to technological breakthroughs but because they cultivate the soil from which the leaders and innovators of the quantum revolution will grow. By demystifying quantum computing and making it accessible, we’re training a diverse new generation equipped to navigate, contribute to, and ultimately lead this new frontier of science and technology.
Quokka, in essence, is a tool for enlightenment, a beacon for those intrigued by the quantum realm’s mysteries, offering a hands-on experience that bridges the gap between abstract quantum theories and tangible learning outcomes. It serves as a foundation upon which the curious, the motivated, and the visionary can build their understanding and contribute their unique perspectives to the quantum conversation.
Supporting Quokka and similar initiatives is a commitment to a future where the quantum revolution is inclusive and driven by a community of educated, inspired, and diverse thinkers. It’s about creating a global quantum literate populace, ready not just to partake in the quantum era but to lead it. This endeavor is about a long-term investment in the people who will one day solve our most complex problems, leveraging quantum computing to enhance our understanding of the universe and improve the human condition.
I encourage readers to join a community of innovators by supporting Quokka’s mission. You can sign up for our newsletter at https://quokkacomputing.com/, or you can support our Kickstarter campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chrisferrie/quokka-your-personal-quantum-computer.
