A recent study by researchers at D-Wave Quantum Inc. has claimed to have solved a complex real-world problem using a quantum computer in just minutes, outpacing a classical supercomputer that would take millions of years and consume more energy than the entire globe uses in a year.
The team used a quantum annealing processor, which is better equipped for tackling large problems due to its ability to couple multiple qubits together. This setup simulated quantum dynamics using arrays of magnetized disordered pieces known as spin glasses, relevant to materials science and designing new metals.
The researchers found that the quantum computer excelled in simulating magnetic materials in two, three, and infinite dimensions, outperforming classical supercomputer simulations in all cases except for a subset of the 2D system. However, another group of researchers has disputed this claim by showing that a classical computer can solve part of the same problem using a repurposed algorithm called belief propagation.
Despite the controversy, experts such as Mohammad Amin and Andrew King from D-Wave acknowledge that the study represents a significant milestone in quantum computing, demonstrating “quantum supremacy” for the first time on an actual problem of real interest.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/quantum-computing-milestone-challenged