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quantum computing

Quantum computer circuitry illustration. Conventional computers store information as 'bits', with each transistor holding either a 1 or a 0. Quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which operate according to two principles of quantum physics. One of the principles, supposition, allows a qubit to store a 1 and a 0 at the same time. This means two qubits can hold four values at once. The second principle, entanglement, means that the state of one qubit can depend on the state of another. As you expand the number of qubits, the machine becomes exponentially more powerful.

Physics

Quantum theory at 100: Let’s celebrate its power and provocation

Quantum theory started with a bout of hay fever, and went on to transform our view of the universe – but its legacy isn't complete

Leader

2G4A579 3D visualization of gravity distorsion, physical objects in orbit, space, general theory of relativity, law of universal gravitation, scientific

Physics

Why I still love reckoning with the quantum gravity problem

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Where exactly does the quantum world end and concrete reality begin?

Physics

Where exactly does the quantum world end and concrete reality begin?

Features

Could the ancient Greeks have invented quantum theory?

Physics

Could the ancient Greeks have invented quantum theory?

Features

What exactly would a full-scale quantum computer be useful for?

Physics

What exactly would a full-scale quantum computer be useful for?

Features

What does quantum theory really tell us about the nature of reality?

Physics

What does quantum theory really tell us about the nature of reality?

Features

A timeline of the most important events in quantum mechanics

Physics

A timeline of the most important events in quantum mechanics

Features

Carlo Rovelli on what we get wrong about the origins of quantum theory

Physics

Carlo Rovelli on what we get wrong about the origins of quantum theory

Features

Control room

Technology

US military launches initiative to find the best quantum computer

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Physics

Where Schrödinger’s cat came from – and why it’s getting fatter

Schrödinger called his metaphorical cat “quite ridiculous” but the quantum weirdness it represents has become a useful benchmark for the quantum computing industry, finds our quantum columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

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Technology

Why quantum computers may continue to fail a key test

Analysis

Technology

Light-based computers are getting close to a commercial launch

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Physics

Space could emerge from time

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Technology

Quantum computers could protect our data from quantum computers

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