Most Popular
1500 questions
22
votes
5 answers
What is a Bacon-Shor code and what is its significance?
I'm at the AQC conference at NASA and everybody seems to suddenly be talking about the Bacon-Shor code but there is no Wikipedia page and the pdf that I gave a link to does not really explain what it is and how it works.
How does it compare to the…
user1271772 No more free time
- 14,366
- 2
- 27
- 77
22
votes
2 answers
Density matrices for pure states and mixed states
What is the motivation behind density matrices? And, what is the difference between the density matrices of pure states and density matrices of mixed states?
This is a self-answered sequel to What's the difference between a pure and mixed quantum…
Sanchayan Dutta
- 18,015
- 8
- 50
- 112
22
votes
5 answers
How can I build a circuit to generate an equal superposition of 3 outcomes for 2 qubits?
Given a $2$ qubit-system and thus $4$ possible measurements results in the basis $\{|00\rangle$, $|01\rangle$, $|10\rangle$, $|11\rangle\}$, how can I prepare the state, where:
only $3$ of these $4$ measurement results are possible (say,…
weekens
- 323
- 2
- 6
22
votes
3 answers
Is it possible to "calculate" the absolute value of a permanent using Boson Sampling?
In boson sampling, if we start with 1 photon in each of the first $M$ modes of an interferometer, the probability of detecting 1 photon in each output mode is: $|\textrm{Perm}(A)|^2$, where the columns and rows of $A$ are the first $M$ columns of…
user1271772 No more free time
- 14,366
- 2
- 27
- 77
22
votes
3 answers
What integers have been factored with Shor's algorithm?
Shor's algorithm is expected to enable us to factor integers far larger than could be feasibly done on modern classical computers.
At current, only smaller integers have been factored. For example, this paper discusses factorizing…
Lying Dancer
- 323
- 2
- 5
22
votes
1 answer
What is the use of categorical quantum mechanics?
I recently noticed that Oxford's computer science department has started offering a grad course on categorical quantum mechanics. Apparently they say that it is relevant for the study of quantum foundations and quantum information, and that it uses…
Sanchayan Dutta
- 18,015
- 8
- 50
- 112
22
votes
3 answers
Advantage of quantum key distribution over post-quantum cryptography
Post-quantum cryptography like lattice-based cryptography is designed to be secure even if quantum computers are available. It resembles currently employed encryptions, but is based on problems which are most likely not efficiently solvable by a…
M. Stern
- 2,477
- 17
- 40
22
votes
1 answer
Quantum Bitcoin Subdivision
Background
Recently I was reading the article "Quantum Bitcoin: An Anonymous and Distributed Currency Secured by the No-Cloning Theorem of Quantum Mechanics" which demonstrates how a quantum bitcoin could function. The article's conclusion states…
Daniel Burkhart
- 583
- 6
- 23
22
votes
1 answer
What is the difference between a qubit and classical bit?
As I understand it, the main difference between quantum and non-quantum computers is that quantum computers use qubits while non-quantum computers use (classical) bits.
What is the difference between qubits and classical bits?
User that hates AI
- 1,067
- 1
- 14
- 28
21
votes
3 answers
How is quantum cryptography different from cryptography used nowadays?
Recent researches indicate that quantum algorithms are able to solve typical cryptology problems much faster than classic algorithms.
Have any quantum algorithms for encryption been developed?
I'm aware about BB84, but it only seems to be a partial…
Be Brave Be Like Ukraine
- 597
- 1
- 8
- 19
21
votes
1 answer
What cryogenic systems are suitable for superconducting qubits?
Is a dilution refrigerator the only way to cool superconducting qubits down to 10 millikelvin? If not, what other methods are there, and why is dilution refrigeration the primary method?
auden
- 3,509
- 1
- 21
- 50
21
votes
2 answers
Did D-Wave show quantum advantage in 2023?
I would like to know your thoughts on whether or not D-Wave has shown a a smoking-gun example of quantum advantage this year. I am genuinely not quite sure what to think, but I believe the answer to this question is important in understanding the…
sheesymcdeezy
- 2,041
- 8
- 27
21
votes
1 answer
Quantum phase estimation and HHL algorithm - knowledge of eigenvalues required?
The quantum phase estimation algorithm (QPE) computes an approximation of the eigenvalue associated to a given eigenvector of a quantum gate $U$.
Formally, let $\left|\psi\right>$ be an eigenvector of $U$, QPE allows us to find…
Adrien Suau
- 5,366
- 22
- 59
21
votes
1 answer
Is "probabilitistic,universal, fault tolerant quantum computation" possible with continuous values?
It seems to be a widely held belief within the scientific community that it is possible to do "universal, fault-tolerant" quantum computation using optical means by following what is called "linear optical quantum computing (LOQC)" pioneered by KLM…
rrtucci
- 689
- 6
- 14
21
votes
6 answers
What is a qubit?
What is a "qubit"? Google tells me that it's another term for a "quantum bit". What is a "quantum bit" physically? How is it "quantum"? What purpose does it serve in quantum computing?
Note: I'd prefer an explanation that is easily understood by…
Mithical
- 319
- 3
- 12