I can explain digital logic down to the electron in a MOSFET, but I can't come close to the same with quantum computing. This newsletter is a journal of my quest to learn the fundamentals of quantum computing and explain them on a human level.

Welcome to the Quantum Edge newsletter. Join me in my year-long journey into the weirdness that is quantum computing.

Issue 0.5, Jan 9, 2025

As you may have gathered from the prior two pre-launch newsletter issues, I am embarking on a quest to learn about quantum computers. From what I can tell from the outside, it’s a fascinating field with an incredible amount of potential.

Today we largely have two types of computer technology sets: analog and digital. Quantum computing will soon become the third type. We are still in the early days, so “soon”, in this case may mean a few years or a few decades. Regardless of the timescale, the change has begun and those of us who want to keep up on technology must find a way to understand it.

Analog computing includes everything from an old mechanical clock to early vacuum tube airplane autopilots. The fundamental components of an analog computer are mechanical or electronic comparators - things that allow two values to be compared. From these and a few other base structures, analog computers can add, subtract and perform a multitude of logic and math functions.

Analog computers were very useful and served humankind for many years. However, they are not precise nor are they fast and, except for specialized applications, their use came to an end with the advent of digital computers.

Digital computers rely on an on/off switch. For modern electronics digital computers, that is a MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) switch. Millions and billions of these switches are combined to create latches, flip flops and logic gates, again to perform any manner of logic or math. They are both faster and more accurate than analog computers. However, today’s complex world is pushing these systems toward physical limitations of speed, heat removal and power consumption.

Quantum computers are the next in line in the evolution of computing systems. They hold promise to be significantly faster than digital computers and able to handle massively complex problems. Today, the early prototypes must be cooled to near absolute zero and require complex precision microwave communications lines to connect with he outside world. They also require companion digital computers to translate in both directions.

They use the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations. If you ask an expert, they will tell you about entanglement, superposition and wave functions. It is not likely, however, that they will be able to explain just how a quantum computer solves a problem without jumping into some really complex math.

What to Expect from the Quantum Edge Newsletter

I’m not a mathematician and I’m not a quantum physicist but I do want to understand how these things work. That’s where the Quantum Edge newsletter comes in. Each week, I’m going to take a look at one small aspect of quantum computing. I’ll research it, attempt to understand it, and write up my findings.

I may make a few mistakes along the way - which will be corrected in later issues. But, ultimately, I will uncover the workings of quantum computing and publish in small enough chunks for all of us mortals to consume.

I will publish each Thursday morning with an occasional Tuesday morning supplement.

Ready. Set…

The next time you see the Quantum Edge newsletter will be with Issue number 1.See you on February 6th

Ambiguity is not your friend. Unless you have a friend whose legal name is ambiguity. I think that would actually be kind of cool
- unknown

About Positive Edge LLC

Positive Edge is the consulting arm of Duane Benson, Tech journalist, Futurist, Entrepreneur. Positive Edge is your conduit to decades of leading-edge technology development, management and communications expertise.