Posted on 11/16/2018 12:50:49 PM PST by ETL
In contrast to a classical bit, which can only be in one of its two basic states, a qubit can be in any of a continuum of possible states, as defined by the values of the quantum amplitudes α and β. This property is often described by the rather mystical and intimidating statement that a qubit can exist simultaneously in both of its ↑ and ↓ states.
Yes, quantum mechanics often defies intuition. But this concept shouldn’t be couched in such perplexing language. Instead, think of a vector positioned in the x-y plane and canted at 45 degrees to the x-axis. Somebody might say that this vector simultaneously points in both the x- and y-directions. That statement is true in some sense, but it’s not really a useful description. Describing a qubit as being simultaneously in both ↑ and ↓ states is, in my view, similarly unhelpful. And yet, it’s become almost de rigueur for journalists to describe it as such.
In a system with two qubits, there are 22 or 4 basic states, which can be written (↑↑), (↑↓), (↓↑), and (↓↓). Naturally enough, the two qubits can be described by a quantum-mechanical wave function that involves four complex numbers. In the general case of N qubits, the state of the system is described by 2N complex numbers, which are restricted by the condition that their squared magnitudes must all add up to 1.
While a conventional computer with N bits at any given moment must be in one of its 2N possible states, the state of a quantum computer with N qubits is described by the values of the 2N quantum amplitudes, which are continuous parameters (ones that can take on any value, not just a 0 or a 1). This is the origin of the supposed power of the quantum computer, but it is also the reason for its great fragility and vulnerability.
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That's the first quantum computing explanation I've read that I understand.
Ya, I was made before dp0622.
It has gotten to the point where many researchers in various fields of physics feel obliged to justify whatever work they are doing by claiming that it has some relevance to quantum computing.
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The same goes for climate change and graphene.
But only for isolation. Data is not one of the states.
It can not only kill Schrodinger’s cat, it proves there are 2 cats and 2 knives. Maybe they are both alive, or both dead, or maybe one of the cats killed the other, or maybe they are engaged in a knife fight as I type.
Lol! Good point.
High Tech Guru: “Someday Apple will sell a computer with more power than a super computer that will weigh less than a pound.”
Reporter: “Wow! What will we do with it?”
HTG: “Mostly play solitaire, cruise the internet and look at cat videos.”
If we did, I feel bad for him lol
There were some glitches the day I was spit out :)
Lol. Ya. I am missing a few parts. Good news is that it is nothing important.
Well, real women's emotions can already exist simultaneously in multiple contradictory states, so there's that. Real women are also blazing fast in verifying the NULL hypothesis, as evidenced by the following actual input/response sample:
Man: What's wrong?
Woman (snaps): Nothing!
It is vital to notice in this case, that the determinant is not the return *value*, but rather the processing speed, i.e., the faster she answers "Nothing," the more likely something is wrong--and the worse it is likely to be.
Quantum computing...Fusion power stations...
Two peas from the same pod. IMHO
Hahahaha.....that is brilliant!!
A hard-headed engineer:
Like my father, who designed jets and rockets for a living. Yep, he would have lost interest (if he ever had it) - and he was on the Today Show once for his acclaimed work.
This was a good article on an over-hyped concept.
Some Freeper years ago was trying us at FR to allow remote access to our PC's for Folding@Home.
Read like a Nigerian scam and was taken as such.
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