Quantum Computation: A Single Qubit's Infinite Possibilities

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SUMMARY

A qubit can represent an infinite number of states, geometrically illustrated by the Bloch sphere. The mathematical representation of a qubit state is given by the equation Ipsi> = cos(theta/2)I0> + exp(i(phi))sin(theta/2)I1>. According to "Quantum Computation" by Nielsen & Chuang, the infinite binary expansion of theta allows for the storage of infinite text on a single qubit, although it is crucial to note that a qubit exists in a superposition of two states at any given time. The concept of infinite binary expansion implies that while a qubit can theoretically hold infinite information, practical recovery of this information is impossible.

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Amith2006
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A qubit state can be represented geometrically by Bloch sphere. A Bloch sphere has infinite points and so a single qubit can represent infinite number of states. Qubit state is represented by,
Ipsi> = cos(theta/2)I0> + exp(i(phi))sin(theta/2)I1>
It is said in the Book on Quantum Computation by Nielsen & Chuang that u can store an infinite text on a single qubit in the infinite binary expansion of theta. How is that possible? Though a single qubit can be in anyone of the infinite number of states, how can it represent all the states at the same time? I can understand infinite expansion of theta but what do they mean by infinite binary expansion of theta?
 
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You know the "infinite number of states" are just superpositions of two states, yes?
Amith2006 said:
how can it represent all the states at the same time?
It can't, it is in TWO states at the same time, it is ONE of an infinite number of superpositions.

Amith2006 said:
How is that possible?

Just imagine theta written out in binary. It is an infinitely long binary string. You can store whatever you want on that string, and infinitely long text for example.
(the downside being that there is absolutely no way to recover it)
 

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