Introduction

  • 1 minute

Quantum mechanics introduces concepts that challenge our classical understanding of physics. One of the key concepts is the principle of superposition, a phenomenon where the state of a quantum particle is described by a combination of multiple different states simultaneously. This foundational idea is crucial to grasp the behavior of qubits in quantum computing because traditional bits don't exist in superposition states.

In this module, you dive deeper into the concept of quantum superposition. You learn about the principles of quantum superposition, the relationship between probabilities and quantum states, and how to describe single-qubit states with the Bloch sphere. You also learn Dirac notation, a mathematical framework that simplifies the representation of quantum states. Finally, you write a Q# program that applies quantum operations to qubits to create and explore superposition states.

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you can:

  • Define the concepts of quantum superposition, probabilistic states, and the Bloch sphere.
  • Understand Dirac notation.
  • Use Q# to apply operations to qubits and create superposition states.
  • Use Q# to inspect the state of a qubit throughout your program.

Prerequisites