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GAO-20-527SP 1 (2020-05-28)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaebdw0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Science, Technology Assessment, GAO Iand Analytics SCIENCE & TECH SPOTLIGHT: QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES What is it? Quantum technologies build on the study of the smallest particles of energy and matter to collect, generate, and process information in ways not achievable with existing technologies. Quantum sensors could be used in science, industry, and navigation to make more precise and accurate measurements and offer potential benefits for critical defense and civilian applications, including maintaining timing and position accuracy in GPS-challenged or denied environments. Quantum communications could allow businesses and governments to securely transmit information. Quantum computers could dramatically accelerate computation for some applications, such as machine learning and decrypting information. Source: Courtesy of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory. I GAO-20-527SP Trapped Ion Qubit Test Bed in the Quantum Information and Integrated Nanosystems Group at Lincoln Laboratory. Qubit is a term for a quantum bit. How does it work? Quantum technologies take advantage of counterintuitive properties that apply at the smallest scale. One property is a connection between two or more particles called entanglement, in which characteristics are linked between particles, and measuring one particle reveals information about the others. Another property is superposition, which allows a particle, while unobserved, to be in all possible observable states simultaneously. A third property is the no cloning theorem, which prohibits the copying of unknown quantum states. Quantum technologies use a combination of these properties to sense, communicate, and compute. For example, quantum sensors could use entangled particles of light to overcome stealth technologies and be resistant to advanced radar jamming. Quantum communication uses these properties to securely exchange encryption keys and determine if a message has been intercepted. And the quantum bits or qubits in a quantum computer use superposition and entanglement to process data in unique and potentially more effective ways. How mature is it? Quantum technologies are not yet fully functional, although some are more mature than others. * Quantum sensors are the most established, with some applications already in use. These technologies, which include atomic clocks and gyroscopes, need further development to reach their potential, likely requiring at least 5 more years. * Quantum communications have progressed in the last decade, with advances in the use of fiber optics or satellites for quantum key distribution, to ensure that quantum cryptographic keys cannot be intercepted without the eavesdropper being detected. However, such technologies may have limited range. Fiber optic links become ineffective for quantum key distribution at distances over 60 miles. Satellite links have been demonstrated for ground distances of up to 4,700 miles, but such demonstrations are not entirely based on quantum physics and therefore are not fully secure. Fiber optic technologies will likely require at least 10 years of development before they can be used for long-distance secure networks. Satellite communications may be available sooner, but will require more development before they are fully secure and useful for practical quantum communications. * Quantum computers are available with dozens of the fundamental components known as physical qubits, although a general use quantum computer may need more than 100,000 physical qubits. To develop quantum computers that can solve problems of practical significance-such as factoring the large numbers used in encryption schemes-it will be necessary to improve their hardware; such efforts could take 20 years. For example, chips would need to hold more physical qubits while maintaining accuracy and precision. Quantum technologies may enable the following advances, assuming extensive technological progress: m Improve measurement. Quantum sensors may be able to locate previously invisible or stealth targets, or determine an object's location and speed, even if GPS is jammed or spoofed, or if a satellite link is lost. GAO-20-527SP Quantum Technologies

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