Quantum Fourier transform
Turn an eight-point phase ramp into visible frequency bins.
Back to learning pathQuantum algorithmsWhy this experiment matters
What you will do
Build intuition for the transform behind phase estimation and Shor's algorithm.
- 01
Encode a chosen frequency as a phase ramp across eight basis states.
- 02
Apply the inverse quantum Fourier transform.
- 03
Measure the three-qubit output and inspect its eight-bin spectrum.
Predict before you measure
Choose one answer to unlock the measurement.
INTERACTIVE
Interactive model
Move the control, then run a measurement. This is a teaching simulation—not hardware output.
Choose one answer to unlock the measurement.
Predict before you measureMake a prediction, then run the measurement to reveal the expected and sampled results.
Measurement results
What the result shows
Integer frequencies land in one bin; fractional frequencies spread across neighbors, revealing finite-resolution leakage.
GUIDED VIDEO
Watch the experiment
Follow the experiment with English narration and English subtitles.
Build intuition for the transform behind phase estimation and Shor's algorithm.
Full transcript5 · 1:00
- 01Overview
Build intuition for the transform behind phase estimation and Shor's algorithm.
- 02Experiment steps 1
Encode a chosen frequency as a phase ramp across eight basis states.
- 03Experiment steps 2
Apply the inverse quantum Fourier transform.
- 04Experiment steps 3
Measure the three-qubit output and inspect its eight-bin spectrum.
- 05What to observe
Integer frequencies land in one bin; fractional frequencies spread across neighbors, revealing finite-resolution leakage.
06 · CHECK
Check what you learned
Make a prediction, then run the measurement to reveal the expected and sampled results.