Koherenssihäviö

Koherenssihäviö, known in English as coherence loss or decoherence, refers to the loss of quantum coherence in a quantum system. Quantum coherence is a fundamental property of quantum mechanics that allows a quantum system to exist in a superposition of multiple states simultaneously. This property is essential for phenomena like quantum entanglement and quantum computing.

When a quantum system interacts with its environment, this interaction can cause the system to lose its coherence. This process, known as decoherence, is often irreversible and leads to the system behaving more like a classical system. The environment essentially "measures" the quantum system, forcing it into a definite state and destroying the superposition. Factors contributing to decoherence include thermal fluctuations, electromagnetic radiation, and interactions with other particles.

The rate of decoherence depends on the specific quantum system and its environment. For quantum computers, decoherence is a major challenge, as it can introduce errors into computations and limit the time for which quantum algorithms can be executed. Researchers are actively developing techniques to mitigate decoherence, such as using error correction codes and isolating quantum systems from their environment. Understanding and controlling decoherence is crucial for the advancement of quantum technologies.