Emerging Technologies
Qubit
Definition
A qubit, or quantum bit, is the basic unit of quantum information—the quantum version of the classical binary bit. A qubit can be in a superposition of both 0 and 1 states simultaneously.
Why It Matters
The ability of qubits to exist in multiple states at once is what gives quantum computers their immense processing power. This property allows them to explore many possible solutions to a problem simultaneously.
Contextual Example
A classical bit can be either 0 or 1. A qubit, thanks to superposition, can be 0, 1, or a combination of both at the same time. This exponentially increases the amount of information that can be stored and processed.
Common Misunderstandings
- Qubits are extremely fragile and susceptible to "decoherence" (losing their quantum state) due to environmental noise like temperature fluctuations. This is a major challenge in building quantum computers.
- There are many different physical implementations of qubits, such as using superconducting circuits or trapped ions.