Considerations on Classical and Quantum Bits

Abstract

This article is a short review on the concept of information. We show the strong relation between Information Theory and Physics, beginning by the concept of bit and its representation with classical physical systems, and then going to the concept of quantum bit (the so-called ``qubit'') and exposing some differences and similarities. This paper is intended to be read by non-specialists and undergraduate students of Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, with knowledge of Linear Algebra and Quantum Mechanics.