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In quantum computing, a qubit/ˈkjuːbɪt/ or quantum bit is a unit of quantum information—the quantum analogue of the classical bit. A qubit is a two-state quantum-mechanical system, such as the polarization of a single photon: here the two states are vertical polarization and horizontal polarization. In a classical system, a bit would have to be in one state or the other, but quantum mechanics allows the qubit to be in a superposition of both states at the same time, a property which is fundamental to quantum computing.
But in a quantum system, "qubits" are stored in a so-called "superposition state" in which they can be both 1s and 0 at the same time - enabling them to perform multiple calculations simultaneously.
"Qubits" of information encoded in a silicon system persisted for almost 100 times longer than ever before.
Quantum superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics that holds that a physical system—such as an electron—exists partly in all its particular theoretically possible states (or, configuration of its properties) simultaneously
originally posted by: smithjustinb
a reply to: NorEaster
No. They're not using the words wrong.
Definition of qubit:
In quantum computing, a qubit/ˈkjuːbɪt/ or quantum bit is a unit of quantum information—the quantum analogue of the classical bit. A qubit is a two-state quantum-mechanical system, such as the polarization of a single photon: here the two states are vertical polarization and horizontal polarization. In a classical system, a bit would have to be in one state or the other, but quantum mechanics allows the qubit to be in a superposition of both states at the same time, a property which is fundamental to quantum computing.
The reporters even included a definition of qubit in the article so people like you couldn't accuse them of not knowing what a qubit was:
But in a quantum system, "qubits" are stored in a so-called "superposition state" in which they can be both 1s and 0 at the same time - enabling them to perform multiple calculations simultaneously.
The two definitions match up.
They held a qubit in a state of 1 and 0 at the same time (superposition) for 39 minutes.
"Qubits" of information encoded in a silicon system persisted for almost 100 times longer than ever before.
Superposition definition from wikipedia (again):
Quantum superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics that holds that a physical system—such as an electron—exists partly in all its particular theoretically possible states (or, configuration of its properties) simultaneously
Qubit. Superposition. 39 minutes. 1 and 0 at same time. This is what happened. This is what they reported.
originally posted by: Ninipe
a reply to: anonentity
No offense, but get over yourself. WTF? You don't really believe the whole universe and everything in it only exists because of you, do you? There is a word for the condition you're suffering from: god-complex.