华尔街见闻·2025-10-23 03:10Core Insights - Google has made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing with its Willow chip, demonstrating an algorithm that outperforms traditional supercomputers [1][2] - This advancement paves the way for practical applications of quantum technology within the next five years [2] - The algorithm, named "Quantum Echoes," is verifiable and can be run on another quantum computer, achieving speeds 13,000 times faster than the world's strongest supercomputer [2][4] Group 1: Breakthrough Details - The Willow chip solved a problem in five minutes that would take a supercomputer 10 septillion years to complete [5] - Quantum computers utilize extremely small circuits for calculations, allowing for parallel processing rather than sequential execution, significantly enhancing speed [5] - The ability to verify results on another quantum computer addresses a major challenge in the field, as noted by computer scientist Scott Aaronson [5][4] Group 2: Future Applications - The results indicate broad potential uses for quantum computing in fields such as medicine and materials science [3] - One application of the algorithm involves studying molecular structures by calculating distances between atoms, which could benefit drug development and battery design [7][8] - However, achieving these applications will require quantum computers to be scaled up by a factor of 10,000 compared to current machines [8] Group 3: Industry Context - Google is not alone in this race; Microsoft, IBM, and various startups are also actively pursuing advancements in quantum computing [4] - The research team includes notable figures such as Michel H. Devoret, a potential Nobel Prize winner in Physics for 2025, indicating the high caliber of expertise involved [8]