Defense Intelligence Reference Document Quantum Computing And Utilizing Organic Molecules In Automation Technology

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Quantum Computing and Utilizing Organic Molecules in
Automation Technology
Summary
Powerful onboard computing hardware is a desired option for future space travel. Without
large data processing capability, the copious amounts of data acquired during flight from
astronomical sensors as well as crew and vehicle sensors will need to be sent back to
earthbound machines for processing, introducing delays measured in hours for routine
calculations. Current commercial computer hardware trajectories in silicon substrate
semiconductors are not likely to produce a radiation-hard or small and portable
supercomputer without significant mission-specific alteration. Alternatives to traditional
computing technology include computers based on entangled quantum states and molecular
computing hardware based on DNA molecules.
Included in this review is significant introduction to the necessary elements of quantum
computing and a summary of the state-of-the-art technologies. Following is background on
DNA and production of engineered DNA chains. Finally, DNA logic gates are presented along
with a treatment of nanomachines that will repair DNA circuitry. Forecasts of technology
development in the 10-20 and 40-year horizons are included along the way, as well as
summary discussion and a conclusion.
The first operating quantum computers capable of solving real-world problems will
commence within 10 years and be based on ion trap technology. This is entirely based on the
amount of research resources dedicated to the problem and the fact that there appear to
only be engineering challenges remaining. Atomic and ion traps require very substantial
cryogenic and EM shielding systems and are not practical for space travel.
Pure photonic technologies available today have difficulty with both miniaturization and
scalability. However, the amount of active work in the field makes a disruptive advance likely
in the 10-year timeframe. Optical computers will likely be realized in the 20-year horizon;
however, the very powerful promise of quantum computing will still have issues with photon
loss in any solid state device. The 40-year horizon will see photon technologies play an
essential but supporting role in distributed quantum computing. Realized all-optical non-
quantum systems will have radiation tolerance advantages over current semiconductor
technology and are likely to augment or even replace general-purpose computing devices for
space travel.
Hybrid designs utilizing arrays of quantum dots and photon communication channels will be
an option for space travel supercomputing on the 40-year timescale. These systems operate
at attainable temperatures without cryonics, and require no more shielding than humans. It
is likely that spintronics will be an essential ingredient.
Simple organic computing based on DNA tiles will be realized in the next 20 years. On the
40-year time horizon, useful DNA-based devices will be essential space exploration tools.
These could take the form of orbital-delivered wireless sensors searching planetary/asteroid
features or for essential compounds such as high concentrations of water. DNA computers
will also be realized on the 40-year timeline. Their advantage over solid state devices will be
the ability to repair nanoscale elements damaged in normal use or by cosmic radiation.
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