Quantum computing refers to the current theoretical use of quantum physics in the processing and memory functions of computing. Certain properties of atoms or nuclei could allow the processing and memory functions to cooperatively function. These quantum bits, or qubits, would be the computer's processor and memory. The operating speed of qubits is much faster than current technologies permit. Quantum computing is well suited for tasks like cryptography, modeling of data, and the indexing of very large databases. It is, however, not suitable for tasks like word processing and e-mail.

Qubits operate differently from the current binary system of computing. Now, computers encode information into so-called bits using binary numbers, 0 or 1, and can only do calculations on one set of numbers at a time. In contrast, quantum computers encode information according to quantum mechanical states of the involved atomic constituents, such as spin directions of electrons...