Quantum 101
Understanding the Basics
Quantum 101 is your starting point for learning how quantum technologies work and why they matter. Through short explainers and easy-to-follow examples, this section breaks down complex science into something approachable, relevant, and practical — no advanced physics required.
Quantum Glossary
Quantum
From the Latin word quantus, meaning, “how much”. A quantum is the minimum amount of any physical entity.
Qubit
The transistor of quantum computers. It stands for quantum-bit and is a two-level system following quantum mechanics properties.
Quantum Mechanics
A fundamental theory in physics that provides a description of the physical properties of nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles.
Quantum Computing
A new technology that uses quantum physics to address issues that are too difficult for traditional computers to solve.
Quantum Cryptography
The practice of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adversarial behavior.
Quantum Communications
The transmission of data along optical lines and takes advantage of the laws of quantum physics to protect data.
Quantum Sensing
This looks at the quirks of quantum systems to design new and better sensors, from detecting small impulses in the body to identifying an earthquake.
Quantum Materials
Have properties including quantum fluctuations, quantum entanglement, quantum coherence, and topological behavior that are unique to them.
Quantum Algorithms
An algorithm is a collection of instructions that allows you to compute a function. A quantum algorithm is exactly the same thing, but the instructions also allow superpositions to be made and entanglement to be created.
Quantum Computers
01: What is a Quantum Computer?
Yale physicists Steve Girvin and Michel Devoret break down what a quantum computer actually is—how qubits use superposition and entanglement to do what bits can’t.
They explain why coherence and error correction matter, and where early real-world advantages are likely to show up.
A fast, clear primer from two leaders in the field.
02: Why Should You Care About Quantum Computers?
What is quantum mechanics, why does it matter, and how is Connecticut building a “Quantum Corridor”?
Yale and UConn unpack the science and the $1M NSF planning grant driving research, workforce, and education.
Guests: Michael DiDonato, Prof. Steve Girvin, and Dr. Brian Sullivan.
Further Learning
01: Introduction to Quantum Error Correction
Yale physicist Steve Girvin introduces circuit QED and the foundations of quantum error correction—how we can detect and fix errors in an unknown quantum state without revealing the state itself. Framed within the “second quantum revolution,” this accessible talk explains the core ideas behind storing and manipulating information on quantum hardware.
02: Introduction to Quantum Computing
Intro to quantum computing from Prof. Yongshan Ding, part of the 2023 YQI/Wright Lab Summer Programming.
A one-hour overview for high school and undergrad students, followed by hands-on coding exercises.
03: 20 Years of Circuit Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)
It’s been 20 years since cQED jumped from idea to reality.
Kicking off CircuitQED@20 (Jan 10–12, 2024), Prof. Steve Girvin walks through how the field was born at Yale’s Becton labs, what it unlocked, and where it’s headed next.
A clear, big-picture tour from one of the originals.
04: Dual-rail Erasure Qubits
Intro to quantum computing from Prof. Yongshan Ding, part of the 2023 YQI/Wright Lab Summer Programming.
A one-hour overview for high school and undergrad students, followed by hands-on coding exercises.