SUPERPOSITION IN QUANTUM
COMPUTING
INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM COMPUTING
In classical computing, data is stored and processed using bits, which can exist
in one of two definite states: 0 or 1. However, quantum computing relies on a
fundamentally different unit of information called the quantum bit or qubit.
One of the key principles that sets quantum computing apart is superposition.
Superposition allows a qubit to exist in a combination of both 0 and 1 states at
the same time, unlike classical bits.
IN SUPERPOSITION
• A quantum system can be in multiple states simultaneously.
• General qubit state: |ψ⟩ = α|0⟩ + β|1⟩
• Where |α|² + |β|² = 1
COMPARISION OF CLASSICAL VS QUANTUM BIT
Feature Classical Bit Quantum Bit (Qubit)
Value 0 or 1 0, 1, or both
(superposition)
Representation Binary State Quantum State
Processing Sequential Parallel (via
superposition)
QUBIT STATE IN SUPERPOSITION
The state of a qubit can be written as:
∣𝜓
⟩ =𝛼
∣0⟩+𝛽
∣1 ⟩
0⟩ and ∣1⟩ are the basis states (like classical 0 and 1)
𝛼 and 𝛽 are complex numbers called probability amplitudes
The probabilities are: P(0)=∣α∣ 2 , P(1)=∣β∣ 2
QUBIT STATE EXAMPLES
A qubit state is directly related to the concept of superposition, which is one
of the foundational principles of quantum computing.
Unlike a classical bit that can only be in one of two states (0 or 1), a qubit
can be in a superposition of both states at the same time.
State α β P(|0⟩) P(|1⟩)
|0⟩ 1 0 1 0
|1⟩ 0 1 0 1
Equal 1/√2 1/√2 0.5 0.5
Superposition
IMPACT OF SUPERPOSITION IN ALGORITHMS
It allows quantum computers to process and explore multiple possibilities
simultaneously, which classical computers cannot do.Following are the
influences of superposition on quantum algorithms:
(i)Parallelism:Superposition allows a quantum algorithm to evaluate many
input values at once.A single qubit can represent both 0 and 1.
So, n qubits can represent 2ⁿ combinations simultaneously.
Impact:This exponential representation forms the basis of quantum speedup .
(ii).Quantum Speed up in Search Algorithms
Example: Grover’s Algorithm Classical search in an unstructured database
of N elements takes 𝑂(𝑁) time.
Quantum search using superposition takes only O(√𝑁 ) steps.
Algorithm Classical Time Quantum Time Speedup Factor
Grover’s Search O(N) O(√N) Quadratic
Shor’s Factoring Exponential Polynomial Exponential
QUANTUM SPEED IN SEARCH ALGORITHMS W.R.T CLASSICAL COMPUTER
(III) FACTORIZATION AND PERIOD-FINDING
.
Uses superposition + quantum Fourier transform to efficiently find periodicity,
which is central to factorization.
While RSA encryption relies on the computational difficulty of factoring large
prime numbers. Classical computers struggle with this task for numbers with
hundreds or thousands of digits
Impact: Threatens classical encryption (e.g., RSA), which is hard to break
without factoring large primes.
CHALLENGES OF USING SUPERPOSITION
1.Decoherence and NoiseProblem:
Quantum states in superposition are extremely delicate. They can lose
coherence due to interactions with the environment (heat,
electromagnetic fields, etc.).Impact: Once decoherence occurs, the
superposition collapses, and quantum information is lost.
2. Error Rates and Fault ToleranceProblem: Superposition states are
sensitive to even tiny disturbances, leading to computational
errors.Impact: Unlike classical bits, quantum bits (qubits) require error
correction methods, which are complex and resource-intensive.
3. Measurement Destroys SuperpositionProblem:Measuring a quantum state
collapses it to one of its basic states.
Impact:You can’t directly observe a superposition; instead, you must conclude
information from multiple measurements and statistical analysis.
4.Limited Real-World ImplementationProblem:Current quantum computers
are in early development stages (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum—
NISQ).
Impact: Practical applications of superposition are still limited outside of lab
settings.
FIELDS BENEFITING FROM SUPERPOSITION
Field Use Case Impact Level
Cybersecurity Quantum key High
distribution
Medicine Protein folding High
simulations
Finance Portfolio optimization Medium
CONCLUSION
• Superposition is a core concept enabling quantum advantage.
• Allows simultaneous evaluation of multiple states.
• Challenges remain, but the potential is transformative.
REFERENCES
[1] M. A. Nielsen and I. L. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
[2] IBM Quantum, "Qiskit Documentation," arXiv.org – Quantum Computing Preprints.
[Online]. Available: https://qiskit.org/documentation/
[3] M. H. Devoret and R. J. Schoelkopf, “Superconducting circuits for quantum
information: an outlook,” Science, vol. 339, no. 6124, pp. 1169–1174, Mar. 2013.
[4] A. Montanaro, “Quantum algorithms: an overview,” npj Quantum Information, vol. 2,
p. 15023, 2016.
[5] P. W. Shor, “Algorithms for quantum computation: discrete logarithms and factoring,”
in Proc. 35th Annu. Symp. Foundations of Computer Science, 1994, pp. 124–134.
