Hands-On Quantum: Teaching Core Quantum Concepts With Bloch Cubes

Abstract

Quantum mechanics is a notoriously abstract subject, and therefore challenging to teach at pre-college and introductory college levels. Here we introduce the Bloch Cube, a hands-on educational tool which can illustrate key quantum concepts without equations. A series of videos have been created showing how Bloch Cubes can be used to teach concepts such as quantum measurement, quantum dynamics, pure states versus mixed states, and quantum decoherence. Bloch Cube states can assist in the development of more sophisticated concepts such as the Bloch Sphere, which plays a central role in the quantum mechanics of two-state systems and quantum information science.