quantum computer

noun

1. a computer that makes use of the quantum states of electrons or other particles to store and process information as quantum bits.

quantum computer

noun

1. a type of computer which uses the ability of quantum systems to be in many different states at once, thus allowing it to perform many different computations simultaneously

quantum computer

1. A computer that exploits the quantum mechanical properties of superposition in order to allow a single operation to act on a large number of pieces of data. In a quantum computer, the data to be manipulated, represented in quantum bits, exists in all possible states simultaneously, in superposition. This allows a single operation to operate over all of these states at once, in contrast with a classical computer, which must carry out an operation for each state separately. Because of the difficulty of creating environments small enough for quantum effects to emerge but sufficiently isolated to prevent interaction with outside influences such as heat, only extremely rudimentary quantum computers currently exist, though algorithms for possible future devices are being developed.

Other Word Forms

• quantum computing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum computer¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

PsiQuantum, which is targeting an aggressive 2027 timeline to deliver a full-scale commercial-grade quantum computer, said Wednesday that it collected $1 billion in its latest fundraise.

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A fault tolerant quantum computer is one that can correct the small, unavoidable errors that arise in computation and consistently deliver reliable results.

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A quantum computer in Brisbane, Australia, is expected to be online by the end of 2027 and one in Chicago in 2028, the company said.

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Particles like trapped ions and photons are a fundamental part of a quantum computer, and make up the basic units of information, called qubits.

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On Tuesday John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the Physics Nobel for their work on quantum mechanics that paved the way for the quantum computer.

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