Quantum Properties

Superposition

The way how qubits exist in the state of 0 and 1 at the same time is called Superposition. In definition, Superposition is the ability of a quantum object to be in multiple states at the same time, with probabilities of being measured in each state. All of the states in the superposition are valid and contribute solving a problem

Interference

Interference is how qubits interfere with each other. The ability of waves and wavefunctions to add up or cancel each other out when they overlap is called Interference.

Measurement

The process of forcing a superposition to pick what state the object will be in. This is irreversible and destroys the superposition. The process requires the object to stay in only one of the states. After measuring multiple times, you can also find out at which state the object has the most probability to be in.

Entanglement

Two objects are entangled when one object's state depends on the other object's state.

When two objects are entangled, they have a defined relationship. When you know one object's state, you know something about the other. Entanglement does not mean that two states are the same, it could mean that two states are opposite and it also does not have to be 100% entanglement.

Wavefunction

The wavefunction is how physicists describe what state a quantum object is in, or in other words, everything we can possibly know about it.

For example, here is a visual of the electron's wavefunction at different points in the double slit experiment

[Image taken from Qubit by Qubit course]

Amplitude

The height or size of a wave is called the amplitude. The amplitude of a quantum wavefunction determines how likely it is to be measured.

[Taken from Qubit by Qubit course]

Phase

The phase of a wave is how shifted it is relative to another wave. The phase of a quantum wavefunction plays an important role in interference.