Article
Article
Quantum computation
Article By:
Ladera, Celso L. Department of Physics, Simon Bolívar University, Caracas, Venezuela.
Mata-Toledo, Ramon A. Department of Computer Science, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.
Last reviewed:July 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.801870
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- Quantum computation, published January 2020:Download PDF
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Computation that encodes data in quantum objects to later process that data using operations based on the concepts and principles of quantum mechanics. Quantum objects used in quantum computation include the nuclei of atoms, ions in a crystal, superconducting junctions, and photons. Quantum computers (Fig. 1) that employ quantum computation differ from conventional computers, which instead encode and process data using transistor-based circuits that are operated using the concepts and laws of classical electromagnetism (though the design and architecture of the transistors themselves are based on the quantum-mechanical understanding of the behavior of semiconductor materials). See also: Atomic nucleus; Computer; Crystal; Electromagnetism; Ion; Photon; Quantum mechanics; Semiconductor
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