An Introduction to Quantum Computing

To begin with let us look at regular digital computers, or what physicists call a classical computer. This performs data processing tasks by manipulating bits; each bit can have a value of one or zero. A quantum implementation of a computer manipulates quantum bits (qubits). Qubits can have a value of one, zero or both simultaneously. When the bit is simultaneously a one and a zero, (yes one and zero at the same time, not oscillating quickly between two states) the bit is said to be in a state of superposition. Superposition is one of two key phenomena in quantum computing, the other being entanglement as they allow us to quickly crack encryption, make artificial intelligence (AI) faster, or do things like simultaneously build models for weather and the stock market.