Überlagerungszustände

Überlagerungszustände, often translated as superposition states, is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. It describes the principle that a quantum system can exist in a combination of multiple distinct states simultaneously until a measurement is performed. Before measurement, the system is not definitively in any single state but rather in a probabilistic blend of all possible states.

The mathematical representation of a superposition state is typically a linear combination of basis states. For example, an electron's spin can be in a superposition of spin-up and spin-down states. This means that when its spin is measured, there is a certain probability of finding it spin-up and another probability of finding it spin-down. The act of measurement "collapses" the superposition, forcing the system into one of the definite basis states.

This phenomenon is a cornerstone of quantum theory and has profound implications, differing significantly from classical physics where an object must be in one definite state at any given time. Superposition is crucial for understanding phenomena like quantum entanglement and is a key resource exploited in quantum computing.