The national program for quantum computing is essential for Israel to remain at the forefront of science and technology

This is what Prof. Nadav Katz, head of the Research Institute for Quantum Information at the Hebrew University, says in an interview, following the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu according to which the government intends to establish a system that will deal with the field of quantum computing, on a similar scale to investing in cyber. In academia, the investment has been felt for years, but applied science will now gain its own momentum, adds Prof. Katz

"The national program for quantum computing is essential for Israel to remain at the forefront of science and technology." Says Prof. Nadav Katz, head of the Research Institute for Quantum Information at the Hebrew University, following the words of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu according to which the government intends to establish a system that will deal with the field of quantum computing, of a similar magnitude to investing in cyber. "In academia, the investment has been felt for years, but applied science will now gain its own momentum," adds Prof. Katz.

"Quantum theory has been the mainstay of physics for about a hundred years. It is a theory that allows us to understand the essence of matter and the basic interactions within it, in the concept that a combination of waves and particles and understanding the interactions between light and matter. The basic understanding of quantum theory has basic scientific importance but it also has technological importance Huge for example through our understanding of materials such as semiconductors, and of course lasers and electro-optics at their root are based on quantum engineering."

"In fact, it can be said that our basic insights at the quantum level have given us enormous tools that have enabled most of the technological revolution that we are in the midst of. Now we are talking about the second quantum revolution, during which we will take advantage of additional features of quantum theory. There are resources there that we have only just begun to scratch that are not yet utilized in its theory and application."

"Quantum information cannot be fully replicated because every measurement of a quantum system changes the situation and if you measure quantum information you add noise to it, so eavesdropping on quantum information will be detected. If I send individual photons in an optical fiber and someone tries to eavesdrop, it can be detected unlike classical communication You can eavesdrop without being detected. Today you can already buy the first quantum communication systems in Israel and there are developments on this subject at the Hebrew University."

"Another use is quantum sensing systems for the construction of sensitive sensors. Quantum systems are the most sensitive systems we have in engineering and in nature, and they can be used as sensors of time, acceleration, magnetic and electric fields. This has medical importance. All control and control systems also have atomic clocks that Actually quantum technology. And perhaps the most disruptive topic - simulation and quantum computation. We work on it in my lab and in other groups around the world, to try quantum systems isolated enough, separate enough that a new type of computer can be built with their help.
The essential property that second-generation quantum systems exploit is a property of complex systems that have more than one particle in a process known as entanglement. This property of entanglement allows the quantum system to simultaneously exist in multiple arrays of states the size of the system. By combining sophisticated algorithms, it will be possible to solve certain problems that are thought to be unsolvable on ordinary computers, for example the simulation of protein systems and solid state that will enable the engineering of drugs and other substances, as well as the algorithmic field of optimization and encryption problems. Years predict that all classical encryptions, including RSA, will not be immune to a quantum computer that can solve them. This is theoretically true. From an engineering point of view it is still a long way off.

What is the reason for the national plan?

The theory has been known since the nineties and they also started working on quantum communication systems, but in recent years there have been breakthroughs. Several critical hardware systems have been identified that are capable, at least in the interim, of providing the quantum capabilities of isolation, protection against noise, and the ability to receive and interleave the quantum components at the required level. Such systems are atomic and ionic systems that can be captured using magnets and optical lasers to isolate the particles and transform their internal levels into qubits (basic quantum computing units). Today there are hardware systems capable of advancing the revolution. A combination of photonics and lasers enables the development of communication systems, and superconducting systems are currently being developed that are considered the strongest candidates for building the logical core or processor of these computers, as well as a variety of quantum sensing systems such as those used to detect defects in diamonds that are now being used to develop special quantum sensors. This is a very wide range of implementations for a beautiful theoretical idea.

What is the security aspect of this?

Prof. Katz: "I think the systems are fascinating and important on other fronts, not just security. But quantum sensors and quantum clocks are at the core of security systems for communication detection and protection. There is a need for quantum communication systems that will be completely protected from arson at the level of encryption and communication and at a completely different level of cyber protection . It allows to protect critical systems of control and control in the country without them eavesdropping on you or disrupting this communication."
"Of course, the security aspect is very important, but it has a civilian technological side and a deep and equally important basic science side. Not long ago, a national academic program began to operate following the recommendations of a national committee headed by Prof. Uri Sion, which issued a report that was accepted by the higher education systems and this program is in the scope of several hundred Millions of shekels will fund the more academic research."

"Now we are talking about the prime minister's backing for the national program. The idea is to combine the forces of technology and industry, similar to what is happening in Switzerland. We are not the first to announce quantum national programs. This already exists in leading countries in the world - specifically the USA, Germany, England, China, and also the European Union The whole has announced a program of more than one billion euros on this issue that has already started.
In conclusion, Prof. Katz says: I don't work in the government, I don't know the details of the plan, but I know that consultations were held with several parties and I hope that the plan will be good and deep. It's a subject that is a shame not to be in it. We must invest in it now, otherwise we will be left behind. There is no option not to be very strong in this area."