Quantum superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics. It states that, much like waves in classical physics, any two (or more) quantum states can be added together ("superposed") and the result will be another valid quantum state; and conversely, that every quantum state can be represented as a sum of two or more other distinct states. Mathematically, it refers to a property of solutions to the Schrödinger equation. (Wikipedia)
Questions tagged [superposition]
141 questions
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How accurate is this figure by TIME magazine?
Below is a figure from a TIME magazine edition. I have a few questions regarding this representation of quantum computing:
Is saying "0 and 1 at the same time" a correct statement? Isn't the qubit just in a superposition of both states, not "both…

Rydberg
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How would I construct an Ising Hamiltonian for binary linear programming?
So I am preparing for an exam and stumbled upon this question which I am unable to answer:
The problem Binary Integer Linear Programming tries to find a binary vector $\vec x=(x_1,x_2, ...,x_n)^T$ with $x \in \mathbb{F_2}$ that maximizes the value…

beatbrot
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If 3 polarizer experiment to teach quantum superposition can be explained classically, should it not be used to explain Quantum Mechanics?
Here is the link to the Dirac's three polarizer experiment.
https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/experiments/dirac_3-polarizers/
When a 90$^o$ and 0$^o$ polarizers are placed in front of each other, no light comes out of the other…

Chetan Waghela
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How to prepare a superposed state where its terms are elements of a sequence?
Define the recursive sequence $x_{i+1} = x_0 x_i \mod 21$, where $x_0 = 2$, and hence $x_1 = x_0 x_0 = 4$, and so on, generating the sequence $[2, 4, 8, 16, 11, 1]$, where the brackets mean it cycles on forever. This sequence has 6 elements so $3$…

R. Chopin
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What's the meaning of applying $U_{\text{div}}$ to a register in superposition?
$\newcommand{\qr}[1]{|#1\rangle}$Say I begin with $10$ q-bits
$\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}\qr{+}$ forming
a register $B$. Name these q-bits as $b_9, ..., b_2, b_1, b_0$.
Apply a gate $U_{\operatorname{div}}$ to $B$. For…

R. Chopin
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What happens if I superimpose my quantum computer?
Background
So here's a question I had. Let's say I have a quantum mechanical system which obeys the Schrodinger equation.
$$ \hat H \psi = \hat T \psi + \hat V \psi $$
where $\hat H$ is the Hamiltonian, $\hat T \psi $ is the kinetic energy and…

More Anonymous
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Does Rx(θ) applied on pure states create superposition?
I'm struggling to find if $\text{Rx}(\theta)$ gate would convert a pure state qubit $|0\rangle$ to a superposition $\cos( \theta) |0\rangle + \sin(\theta) |1\rangle$.
A definitive answer with reference will be appreciated.

user1587566
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How to create uniform superpostion of N states where N is not power of 2
Many textbooks only consider superposition of N states where N is a power of 2. For example, H|0> is a uniform superpostion of |0> and |1> and N=2.
How to construct quantum circuit for a uniform superpostion of arbitrary number of states, like N=3?

Ian Luo
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