What is a qubit?

Bits are the building blocks of classical computing. A bit can hold one of two states: 0 or 1 (which can also be described as on or off). Unique combinations of these bits create more complex systems, like logic gates (e.g. AND, OR, XOR gates) which, when combined further, can perform computations we are familiar with on our own desktops. However, this binary system is running out of steam (see Moore’s Law). Qubits (or quantum bits), on the other hand, can exist in the state of 0 and 1, or a superposition between the two. You can think of it as being able to hold values “in between” 0 and 1 too. In this way, quantum computing (using qubits rather than classical bits to perform computations) is exponentially faster with the same amount of bits. Applications of this are vast, but we are still combating some of the adverse environmental effects and optimizing costs to make this a reality for civilians.

~Srimaye Peddinti