Quantum dictionary, part 1: Decoding the fundamentals

Lynelle Huskey

Vanessa Cook

October 2026

What is quantum computing? How does it work? What is a qubit? And when will quantum reach its full potential? Quantum computing challenges our intuition and our understanding of what computers can do. In this two-part dictionary series, we decode key terms behind what could be the next major technological revolution.
Qubits are the basic building blocks of quantum computers, harnessing properties such as superposition and entanglement to process information. However, qubits are highly sensitive to their surroundings where disturbances can lead to errors in quantum computation, making error correction a key challenge for building quantum computers.
There is no single approach to building a quantum computer. Researchers and companies are pursuing a range of qubit technologies, from neutral atoms and photons to spin, superconducting, topological and trapped-ion qubits, while quantum computing itself is likely to increasingly work alongside classical computing and AI.

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