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13.2: Model 1- Tiny Classical Bits

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    50237
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    The simplest model of a quantum bit is one which we will consider only briefly. It is not general enough to accommodate the most interesting properties of quantum information.

    This model is like the magnetic dipole model, where only two states (up and down) are possible. Every measurement restores the system to one of its two values, so small errors do not accumulate. Since measurements can be made without changing the system, it is possible to copy a bit. This model of the quantum bit behaves essentially like a classical bit except that its size may be very small and it may be able to be measured rapidly.

    This model has proven useful for energy conversion systems. It was used in Chapter 12 of these notes.


    This page titled 13.2: Model 1- Tiny Classical Bits is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Paul Penfield, Jr. (MIT OpenCourseWare) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.