Quantum Information Processing

We are at the dawn of a new technological revolution.  Just as the 19th century was the Machine Age and the 20th century was the Information Age, the 21st century promises to go down as the Quantum Age. Harnessing and controlling the counterintuitive properties of quantum mechanics will enable previously unimaginable technologies that will transform the ways we work, communicate and live.Quantum information processing forces us to learn a new language — one that describes the behaviours and interactions of the universe's most fundamental building blocks. We are now learning to speak this quantum language — to control quantum systems and apply them toward unprecedented applications in the laboratory and beyond. We are discovering new ways to navigate the nano-scale world, and we are tapping into the incredible potential of quantum computers, sensors, communications devices and more. Quantum technologies are already finding real-world applications, and the fundamental groundwork is now being laid for revolutionary advances in the coming years, from ultra-powerful computers to unbreakable cryptography and more.I will describe some of the recent progress in the field, particularly in the experimental realm, such as implementations of algorithms on small quantum processors — an important demonstration of control over the quantum world. I will conclude by exploring some of the unexpected offshoots of quantum information research, such as advances in neutron interferometry and oil exploration.