W state

noun

A quantum state of three qubits which has the following shape: |W⟩=1/(√3)(|001⟩+|010⟩+|100⟩). It is remarkable for representing a specific type of multipartite entanglement and for occurring in several applications in quantum information theory.

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Meanings

nounW state (plural W states)

plural W states

  1. A quantum state of three qubits which has the following shape: |W⟩=1/(√3)(|001⟩+|010⟩+|100⟩). It is remarkable for representing a specific type of multipartite entanglement and for occurring in several applications in quantum information theory.

Origin

From the first initial of Wolfgang Dür, one of the first people to report this state.

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Cite this entry
APA

W state. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/W%20state

MLA

“W state.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/W%20state. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “W state,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/W%20state.

Source: W state on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.