// LEARN QUANTUM TERMINOLOGY
GLOSSARY
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Bit-flips
Bit-flips
Bit-flips swap the labels |0⟩ and |1⟩ in quantum states. They can be intentional in algorithms but they’re also a type of error that needs correction. -
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CNOT gate
CNOT gate
The CNOT is a fundamental 2-qubit operation. If the control is |1⟩, it bit-flips the target and can create entanglement. If |0⟩, nothing changes.Cat Qubits
Cat Qubits
Cat qubits store quantum information in superpositions of states that are clearly different from each other.Cryostat/Dilution fridge
Cryostat/Dilution fridge
Refrigerators lower chip temperatures to 10mK, granting them superconducting properties. They also help to block external sources of electromagnetism. -
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Decoherence
Decoherence
Decoherence is the loss of quantum information of a qubit due to interactions with the environment. -
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Entanglement
Entanglement
A key property of qubits, entanglement links quantum systems regardless of distance. Actions on part of an entangled system affect the rest of it.Error mitigation
Error mitigation
Error mitigation techniques are applied to the results of a computation to remove the effects of errors that occur despite suppression and correction.Error supression
Error supression
Error suppression is the execution of control operations on physical quantum hardware to prevent errors from occurring. -
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Fault Tolerant Quantum Computer
Fault Tolerant Quantum Computer
A fault-tolerant quantum computer detects and corrects computational errors while computation is ongoing.Fidelity
Fidelity
Fidelity is a measure of how accurately an operation can be performed. -
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NISQ
NISQ
Noise Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) refers to quantum computers with tens to hundreds of “noisy” qubits, qubits with high error rates. -
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Phase-flips
Phase-flips
Phase-flips change superposition phases by 180°. They are used to alter how states interfere, but they’re also a type of error that needs correction.Photon
Photon
A photon is the smallest unit (“quantum”) of light and other forms of electromagnetic energy. Its behavior obeys the principles of quantum mechanics. -
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Quantum Advantage
Quantum Advantage
By default, quantum advantage refers to a quantum computer performing a specific computation faster than any classical computer.Quantum Error Correction
Quantum Error Correction
The Quantum Error Correction (QEC) process detects and corrects the computational errors caused by decoherence.Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, electrons, etc.) and isolated systems showing quantum properties.Quantum Supremacy
Quantum Supremacy
Quantum Supremacy is the demonstration of a quantum computer solving a problem that no classical computer could achieve within a practical timeframe.Qubit
Qubit
A qubit (“quantum bit”) is the basic unit of quantum information, analogous to the bit (“binary digit”) as the basic unit of classical information. -
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Shor’s algorithm
Shor’s algorithm
Shor’s algorithm quickly factors large numbers, solving a problem that traditional computers find extremely hard and is key to modern encryption security.Superconducing circuits
Superconducing circuits
A superconducting circuit conducts electricity without resistance at very low temperatures, which is crucial for some quantum and other advanced tech.Superposition
Superposition
Superposition allows quantum objects to be in multiple states, enabling more complex computations than classical objects, which are in single states. -
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Transmon
Transmon
A transmon is a type of superconducting qubit used in some quantum computers. The number of energy particles (photons) inside sets its frequency. -
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Universal Quantum Computer
Universal Quantum Computer
A universal quantum computer is a quantum computer that can execute any “gate-based” quantum algorithm. “Gates” graphically depict quantum operations.
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