Definition
A type of computation that harnesses quantum mechanical phenomena like superposition and entanglement to perform calculations.
Detailed Explanation
Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to quantum superposition. They excel at specific types of problems like factorization and optimization through quantum algorithms that can explore multiple solutions simultaneously. Current quantum computers face challenges with qubit coherence, error correction, and scaling, but show promise for certain specialized applications.
Use Cases
Cryptography, drug discovery, optimization problems, quantum chemistry simulations, financial modeling, machine learning acceleration