0.3 Learning Objectives
1. Introduction to Superposition
• Qualitatively understand what it means for an object to be in a quantum superposition. • Identify the measurement outcome of a system in a classical vs. quantum superposition.
Key Terms: quantum system, quantum state, quantum superposition
2. What is a Qubit?
• Understand the difference between a classical bit and a qubit.
• Write a mathematical expression for the superposition of a two-state particle using “ket” notation.
• Compute the probability of finding the particle in a particular state given a normalized superposition state.
• Express a qubits’ state as a vector and use matrix multiplication to change the state. Key Terms: qubit, ket notation, state amplitude, normalization, unitary matrix
3. Creating Superposition: Beam splitter
• Explain how light behaves like a particle in the single-photon beam splitter experiment.
• Understand how the beam splitter creates a particle in a superposition state.
• Trace the path of light through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer from both a wave inter- ference and particle perspective.
