Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Looking at the journal in his hand, Professor Aric had a disappointed expression on his face.

Finally, I couldn't help it anymore and scolded in an angry voice.

"It's just gibberish!"

"A 524-qubit quantum computer...... How could it be done! ”

As a professor of physics and quantum information engineering at the University of Southern California, a distinguished researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for the quantum computer project, and a consultant for Google's "D-Wave" project, he has countless layers of aura, and no one knows what a quantum computer is better than him.

Even the famous quantum annealing algorithm was developed with his participation.

Although there is debate in the academic community about whether the quantum annealing algorithm can be called a quantum computer, after all, no evidence of so-called "quantum acceleration" has been found until now, but it is undeniable that D-Wave 2X still holds the record for the highest qubits.

Google and NASA are currently working on D-Wave 3X, a computer that will redefine the world's understanding of quantum computer technology by operating at ultra-low temperatures.

But even so, their expectations for the D-Wave 3X are only 100 qubits.

Now, however, some people have claimed to have developed a 524 quantum graduated quantum computer, and this paper has been published in a world-class journal such as Future.

In addition to feeling that his IQ had been insulted, he felt surprisingly angry at such an irresponsible article.

Every false paper overdraws the industry's confidence in the new technology, and this kind of irresponsible research will not only destroy the scholars who study it, but also the entire industry.

Moreover, this is not the first time!

The last time it seemed to be the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in recent months, there have been reports of breakthroughs in quantum computer technology on the other side of the Pacific.

Looking at the angry Professor Arik, as his partner, Dr. Cecil, who was also sitting in his office looking at the paper, hesitated and spoke.

"But...... The author of this paper seems to be Professor Lu. ”

"So what?"

"It turns out that Future will also publish some interesting research, and I used to naively think that it could become the third largest journal in the world and bring some different changes to our academic community, but I still think highly of them. Final ......"

As he spoke, the disappointment on Professor Arik's face became more and more apparent.

Finally, he couldn't read it anymore and threw the journal in his hand into the trash.

“…… Eventually, it became a propaganda tool for China's official institutions. ”

Looking at Professor Aric with a disappointed face, Dr. Cecil opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

In fact, his views are actually quite close to those of Professor Arik.

Before the quantum memory came out, he couldn't think of any possibility that a quantum computer would be able to perform more than 100 qubits, let alone an exaggerated number like 524.

The technical span of this is not as simple as doing addition and subtraction operations at all, but growing exponentially!

However, the contradiction in his heart is that he neither believes that the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study can really be so far ahead of them in this technology, nor does he believe that that person may lie......

"Actually, you don't need to be so angry."

"How could I not be angry!" Professor Aric said angrily, "What they are consuming is the confidence of the industry in quantum computing technology!" Consumption is the future of those of us who really do research! ”

"There is no need to be so pessimistic, the confidence of the industry is so fragile," Dr. Cecil said reassuringly, "NASA has already invested a billion in the D-Wave 3X program, and there will be additional investments in the future." Coupled with the fact that immersive VR technology will soon enter North America, Google can be said to be imperative for quantum computing technology. ”

Professor Aric shook his head and sighed.

"I envy you for being so optimistic at this point."

In the face of his colleague's complaints, Dr. Cecil smiled bitterly.

Optimism?

Is that really the case?

He didn't know which side was optimistic.

……

The news of a breakthrough in quantum computer technology sent a seismic wave within the semiconductor industry.

524 qubits for computer ......

That's almost more than all the qubits of published research today.

If this paper appeared elsewhere, it would have been fine, and most people in the industry would have laughed and taken it seriously, but she was published in the world's top journal "Future".

And not only that, the corresponding author of the paper is Professor Lu.

Taken together, these two factors make it impossible to ignore the content of this article, no matter how bizarre it may seem.

The impact quickly spread from the semiconductor industry to other areas.

Almost all Internet-related industries are evaluating the positive and negative impact of this technological breakthrough. Not only that, but almost everyone wants to know if this is true, or if it is an oolong or a joke......

On the eve of the 20th Asia-Pacific Cyber Security Summit.

A five-star hotel near the Shanghai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Hansa Clarke, who was sitting by the window in the executive lounge, was looking at the news on the tablet in his hand, with a worried expression written on his face.

As the world's largest non-profit organization for network, information, software and infrastructure security certification, the International Information Systems Security Certification Alliance (ISC2) shoulders the important responsibility of maintaining the world's Internet security.

He is the chairman of ISC2 and one of the organizers of the Cyber Security Summit.

This news about quantum computer technology was completely unexpected by him, and it completely disrupted his original plan. If the description of this 524-qubit quantum computer is true, then Huaguo's initiative to promote quantum encryption algorithms will have to be seriously considered.

Sitting across from Chairman Clark, the ISC2 Secretary-General, Mr. Rupert, had the same solemn expression on his face.

Just ten minutes earlier, he had called an expert he knew in the field of information engineering to ask him what he thought about the news. Regardless of whether this is a smoke bomb released by the Chinese people for the time being, it will only be discussed from a technical point of view.

Once the 524-qubit computer technology really appears, the blow to today's international standard encryption algorithms will be devastating.

Until more reliable encryption algorithms become widespread, all industries that rely on information technology, from finance to manufacturing, will enter a security vacuum, and all secrets will no longer be kept secret......

"The timing of the publication of this paper is really special, and the hype of the content of this paper in the Chinese media makes people wonder if there is any special motive behind it."

Clark didn't look up, still staring at the tablet in his hand, and asked casually.

"What do you think?"

Glancing at the dim lights outside the window, Rupert tapped his index finger lightly on the table, pondered for a moment, and then said.

"There are two possibilities, either the Chinese are building momentum for this Asia-Pacific Cyber Information Security Summit, or it is true."

"Which one is more likely?"

"The latter."

Chairman Clark's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Oh?"

Knowing that the chairman was asking about his theory, Rupert said softly.

"The reason is simple, the corresponding author of this paper is Professor Lu."

"That's it?"

Chairman Clark smiled faintly, and although the solemn expression on his face did not change in the slightest, his tone was a little intriguing.

“…… Under the premise that the former possibility objectively exists, Professor Lu's signature does not mean anything. He comes from a country that pursues collectivism, and for the sake of China's national interests, he may not say something against his will. ”

Rupert: "Has this ever happened?" ”

The cloudy pupils never moved away from the tablet, Chairman Clark said thoughtfully.

"No...... But there was no before, and it does not mean that it will be later. ”

Rupert continued.

"Do you think it's worth the gamble?"

This time, Clark was silent.

Yes......

Herein lies the problem.

Whether they believe it or not, they don't have the confidence to bet on this possibility.

Information security is the lifeblood of all orders such as the global economy, military, and even politics, and when it comes to information security, they can only consider the "worst-case" scenario.

Just then, the phone in Rupert's pocket rang suddenly.

"I'm going to answer the phone."

Looking at Rupert, who had already gotten up, Chairman Clark nodded and motioned for him to be casual.

Walking to the side, Rupert pulled his phone out of his pocket and put it to his ear, pressing the button to connect.

Still sitting in his original position, Clark had been observing the expression on the Secretary-General's face, trying to discern something interesting from the change in his expression.

In fact, Clark did see it.

As the minutes passed, I saw that the expression on Secretary General Rupert's face became more and more solemn.

Finally, the call was over.

Shoving his phone back into his pocket and sitting down at his desk, Rupert took a deep breath, his face filled with a deeper solemnity than before, and a palpable hint of concern.

Without waiting for Clark to ask, he took the first step.

"Bad news."

"I want to ...... We probably don't have to speculate here whether the paper was a smoke bomb thrown by the Chinese. ”

Slightly stunned, Chairman Clark's brow furrowed slightly.

"What happened?"

"My old friend in the field of information engineering – the guy I consulted with him earlier about what the industry thinks about quantum computer technology......" After a pause, Rupert continued, "just now, he called me. ”

"Star Technology plans to build a new supercomputing center in Shanghai to provide computing power for their virtual reality network in East China. According to the information they published on their official website, the processors used in this supercomputing center are ......"

Swallowing his saliva, Rupert said in a difficult tone.

"It seems to be quantum computing technology."

Lamp pen