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3 - A Crash Course On Quantum Mechanics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  aN Invalid Date NaN

Yidun Wan
Affiliation:
Fudan University, Shanghai
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Summary

This chapter presents key quantum mechanics principles essential for understanding quantum computation. The postulates of quantum mechanics, mixed states, and density matrices are introduced, along with the Stern–Gerlach experiment’s role in illustrating quantum behavior. Topics such as quantum coherence, entanglement, and the EPR paradox are covered to clarify the fundamental distinctions between classical and quantum systems. Measurement is explored with an emphasis on positive operator-valued measures (POVM), a key concept in understanding quantum state collapse. These principles provide a foundation for studying quantum computation and are essential for understanding qubit behavior, quantum information processing, and subsequent algorithmic structures.

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Type
Chapter
Information
Quantum Computing Unveiled
A Concise Course with Topological Extensions
, pp. 53 - 91
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026

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