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To understand the basic fundamentals of quantum computing you must know three things:

1. What is quantum?
2. What is a qubit?
3. What is quantum computing?

What is quantum?

“Quantum” refers to the smallest possible unit that exists independently. This word is favored within physics where it is used to describe behaviors of particles on both the atomic and subatomic level. Keep some key fundamentals in mind when thinking of quantum particles :

• Wave-Particle Duality : particles exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.
• Superposition : particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously.
• Entanglement : they can become entangled, where the state of one particle is directly related to another, no matter the distance between them.
• Discrete Units : energy and other properties are viewed as existing in discrete units.

There are many different applications that quantum can and is being used:

• Quantum Computing : Representation and processing of information using bits or qubits in manners that classical bits are unable to compute. This enables developers and scientists to solve complex problems at speeds that were previously unobtainable.
• Quantum Cryptography : Methods to secure communication using quantum key distribution (QKD), which is based on the principles of quantum mechanics.
• Quantum Teleportation : Transportation of quantum states from one particle to another covering a distance, this concept is vital for the future of communication networks.

My initial desire is to better understand quantum computing, which will be the primary focus of our discussion. Within quantum computing, we encounter the use of a terminology called bits or qubits.

What is a qubit?

A qubit is the most basic unit of information in quantum computing. In classical computing, calculations and processes are binary, with bits holding positions that can only be 0 or 1. Qubits, however, play a similar role in quantum computing but with a key difference: they can hold a superposition state. This means that, unlike traditional bits, which can only be 0 or 1, qubits can be both 0 and 1 at the same time. Quantum particles represent all possible combinations of states and constantly fluctuate until they are observed and measured.

If quantum particles can hold a superposition state, they also demonstrate the key fundamental idea of correlating their measurements with each other, known as entanglement. When qubits become entangled, they form a single system where the state of one qubit can influence the state of another. This astonishing capability allows us to use measurements from one qubit to draw conclusions about others. By adding and entangling qubits within a system, quantum computers can process more information and tackle complex calculations at speeds far beyond any supercomputer created.

What is quantum computing?

In simple terms, a quantum computer has three main components:

1. Qubit Housing : The area that houses the qubits.
2. Signal Transfer Mechanisms : Methods to transfer signals to and from the qubits.
3. Classical Computer : A classical computer to run programs and send instructions.

By integrating all the information we have learned thus far, we can better understand quantum computing. Quantum computers harness the discrete and unique behaviors of quantum physics. Utilizing principles such as superposition and entanglement, which we discussed earlier, quantum computing applies these behaviors to processing information. These new concepts are now being incorporated into traditional programming methods, revolutionizing the way we approach complex problems.