Quantum supremacy refers to the theoretical point at which a quantum computer can perform a specific computational task more efficiently than the most powerful classical computers available. In other words, it’s the demonstration that a quantum computer can solve a problem that is practically impossible for classical computers to solve within a reasonable amount of time.
Quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, to process information in ways that classical computers cannot. One of the landmark achievements in the field of quantum computing was Google’s claim of achieving quantum supremacy in October 2019. Google’s quantum processor, named Sycamore, reportedly performed a specific task faster than the most powerful classical supercomputers would have been able to.
It’s important to note that the term “quantum supremacy” has sparked some debate, and there are discussions about the appropriateness of the term itself. Achieving quantum supremacy doesn’t mean that quantum computers can perform all tasks better than classical computers; rather, it signifies a milestone in demonstrating the potential superiority of quantum computers for certain types of computations.