Quantum computers - why would you want one?

Glossary

capacitor. A device for storing electrical energy. For more information see How capacitors work (How Stuff Works, USA).

cryptography. The science or study of encoding and decoding messages. For more information see Cryptography (Webopedia, USA).

factorisation. Resolution of an object (a number, a polynomial or a matrix) into factors, which when multiplied together give the original object.

ion implantation. Process by which the ions of a material are placed on the surface of a solid. The process modifies the physical properties of the solid.

parallel processing. The simultaneous processing of a task by two or more computer systems; also referred to as parallel computing.

photon. A photon is the smallest unit of light energy.

quantum decoherence. The process that takes place when a quantum system interacts with its environment.

quantum error correction. A method used in quantum computing to minimise the impacts of quantum decoherence and other quantum noise.

quantum superposition. A phenomenon where an object exists in more than one state simultaneously.

qubit. A unit of information in quantum computing.

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Posted August 2007.