Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors







Heifer International

Wikipedia Affiliate Button


Home > News > What is a qbit?

April 6th, 2010

What is a qbit?

Abstract:
By Roy Johnson

Quantum computing is based on different mathematics and different hardware from conventional, binary computing.

Quantum computers already exist, in one form or another, and they work with qbits, not the usual 1/0 bits. A qbit is, mathematically, a state vector in a two-level quantum system or a vector that applies to complex numbers. Putting it simply and practically, a qbit can have the value 1,0 or both. In quantum language the simultaneous 1/0 value is called a superposition.

It seems impossible to use something that doesn't have a rigidly fixed and measureable value. It conjures up scary memories of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and the Schrodinger's Cat problem.

In fact, we do know the maths that enable us to work with qbits - it's basically a matter of probabilities. If you think of the traditional 1/0 values as a sphere, 1 being the north pole and 0 being the south pole, the possible states of a qbit - determined by probability amplitude - will fall on the surface of that sphere.

Quantum states also have the unique property of entanglement. This is a non-local property of quantum states (qbits, for example) whereby two sets will have higher correlation than is possible in classical mathematics. Simply and somewhat inaccurately expressed, this allows quantum machines to work quickly on problems that a conventional machine can solve - but only with impossible time scales.

Source:
mybroadband.co.za

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

An Innovative material for the Green Earth: Simple and inexpensive process to make a material for CO2 adsorption June 17th, 2013

Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf" June 17th, 2013

Efficient and inexpensive: Researchers develop catalyst material for fuel cells: Platinum-nickel nano-octahedra save 90 percent platinum June 17th, 2013

AXEON Acquires Assets of Leading Reverse Osmosis Systems Manufacturer June 17th, 2013

Possible Futures

Space Solar Power: Key to a Livable Planet Earth June 10th, 2013

Global Nanotechnology Drug Delivery Market 2012-2016 June 10th, 2013

Nanorobot tetanus treatment animation June 9th, 2013

New horizons to drive the future of Medicine: European Technology Platform on Nanomedicine intends to lead the domain June 8th, 2013

Quantum Computing

Controlling magnetic clouds in graphene June 14th, 2013

Data Highways for Quantum Information June 13th, 2013

Spintronics approach enables new quantum technologies June 4th, 2013

Harris & Harris Group Notes the Sale of a Second D-Wave Quantum Computer May 16th, 2013

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE







  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoTech-Transfer
University Technology Transfer & Patents
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More












ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project








abbigliamento uomo
Computer Accessories
© Copyright 1999-2013 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE