Why Quantum Computers Are Kept In Giant Freezers
And why you won’t have one in your home any time soon
People have long speculated that quantum computing is the future of computers. Quantum computers are able to exist in multiple states simultaneously, as opposed to binary computers, which can only exist in one of two states at a time. Binary code (0s and 1s) is designed around the fact that computers use logic that requires inputs to either be one thing or the other. Quantum computers can be both 0 and 1 at the same time, which allows them to do a variety of things that standard computers cannot.
While there have been large strides made in the realm of quantum computing (and quantum physics in general), you are likely never going to be able to own a quantum computer of your own. That is because, unbeknownst to most, quantum computers must be kept in large freezers.
Quantum computers use qubits (quantum bits) to exist in a state of 0 and 1 simultaneously. But these qubits are extremely sensitive to temperature. In order for the computers to function properly, they must be kept at extremely cold temperatures. We’re not talking about stuffing your computer tower into the freezer in your kitchen. These computers need to be kept at or near absolute zero, the coldest temperature possible.
