It's 1994, and a mathematical algorithm puts a spotlight on quantum computing for the first time.

Defence departments, spy agencies and cybersecurity experts are on edge over the explosive Shor's algorithm.

They spend decades and billions of dollars searching for a solution before something called "Q-day" arrives.

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Guests:

Dr Henry EverittSenior technologist for optical sciences, US Army

Emeritus Professor Charles ClarkPhysicist, formerly National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Dr Sushmita RujAssociate professor, University of New South Wales' Institute for Cybersecurity

Special thanks to Nick Adams for reading Peter Shor's limerick. 

• Presenter: Jacinta Bowler
• Producer: Fiona Pepper
• Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor
• Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove
• Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins
• Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond
• Additional audio courtesy of CSIRO Publishing