Introduction

​

Matoba: ODDS Q/C was created to visualize and allow people to experience the principles and behavior of quantum mechanics through an artwork, to spark interest in those who are unfamiliar with it, and to promote the research and development of quantum computers. Here, we will discuss the experience and the discoveries made through it with two high school students, a team of quantum researchers, and the artwork’s creators.

 

​

​

Experiencing and interacting with the artwork

 

Two high school students came to experience ODDS Q/C, a visualization of quantum behavior. They first spin the roulette counterclockwise, then clockwise, and finally, at the creator’s suggestion, push the button. We asked for their impressions.

 

High school student: At first, the probability of hitting the target on the roulette was low, but as I kept pushing, the probability increased. It was interesting to see how, depending on my actions, the probability would change.

 

High school student: I could get a sense of the near future through the action of “pushing” to increase the probability along with the digital interface.

 

 

​

What exactly are quantum computers?

 

What is a quantum computer, and how is it different from a regular computer?
 

Tanaka: A quantum computer is a computer that exploits the properties of quantum mechanics for computation. Quantum mechanics is the study of probabilistically predicting the behavior of small particles such as electrons and atoms. A quantum computer can simulate the movement of electrons and atoms. Moreover, due to its general-purpose computing capabilities, it is particularly well-suited for managing probabilistic elements. In terms of algorithmic processing, due to the quantum nature of “superposition,” quantum computers can process faster than conventional computers.

​

Matoba: ODDS Q/C is a work that shows how algorithms, or “probability,” change by using a roulette wheel as a representation. At first, the system represents the behavior of a conventional computer. The next mode expresses how, through quantum computation, processing is done in parallel rather than trying every option, with the probability changing every time the mechanism is pressed. We also considered games such as pinball, but decided that the roulette wheel could express it in the simplest yet dynamic way.
 

Takamura: Something very strange happens in the roulette, something that we are not used to in everyday life, which is changing probabilities. To make it easy to understand visually and tangibly, we incorporated the motion of “pushing” into the work, allowing the user to directly feel the changes resulting from their actions.

 

​

 

A new understanding acquired through touch

 

After hearing the explanation, the students were again asked for their thoughts.

 

High school student: By performing the action, I was able to understand the quantum nature in a more tangible way.

 

High school student: Normally, “pushing” isn’t part of the roulette game, and I found it interesting to include this unfamiliarity, making people wonder why they should push. Also, I wondered why there is only one ball. I thought that if the number of balls increased, the probability would go up.

Tanaka: The act of pushing was made analogous to quantum manipulation. The nature of quantum computers dictates that, once a measurement result is generated, it must be refreshed. That is why there is only one ball.

​

Takamura: After hearing the students’ perspectives, I realized that they understood how pushing is completely different from spinning the roulette.

 

High school student: In the classroom, you can only use your imagination to understand, but it is easier to visualize and remember a concept if you can actually experience it.

 

​

 

The potential of fusing science and art

​

Matoba: Expressing science in the form of art is referred to as “science communication.” I would like to ask each of you what you hope to see from science communication moving forward.

​

Katsube: Research results are usually published in papers and through press releases, but they tend to be difficult for the general public to understand. I believe art will play an essential role as a bridge between the two.

 

High school student: At the start, I wondered what the relation between science and art could be, but after experiencing it directly, I realized that looking at it from an art perspective is important because it allows even those without prior knowledge to understand and grasp it. It is easier to convey concepts if the design of the presentation is also considered. 

​

Takamura: It goes beyond words, so I thought it was easy to understand. I think that even younger children, like elementary school students, would be able to understand it.

​

Tanaka: First, I was glad that everyone could see research that is not usually made public. Quantum mechanics is always said to be difficult to understand. I am even happier that something was created that allows people to experience and feel a sense of familiarity with it. Through the production process and the discussion, it was also conveyed why our work is so difficult to understand. It provided an opportunity to reconsider quantum mechanics.

​

Matoba: Just like science is about posing questions and performing experiments, I felt like art has the power to spark questions, such as “Why is there only one ball?” As a result, it could inspire new discoveries and prompt further potential intellectual exploration.