Quantum Gates

Quantum gates manipulate qubit states. They're the quantum equivalent of classical logic gates, but reversible and operating on probability amplitudes.

Applying Gates with <-

Quantum gates use the same rebind operator (<-) you learned in Language Basics. This creates a unified model—whether you're transforming numbers or qubits, the syntax is the same:

Context	Code	Meaning
Classical	x <- double	Rebind x to double(x)
Quantum	q <- hadamard	Rebind q to hadamard(q)

The syntax q <- hadamard is sugar for q <- hadamard(q). The gate function takes a qubit, transforms it, and the result is rebound to the same variable.

q <- hadamard      -- apply Hadamard gate to q
q <- pauli_x       -- apply Pauli-X gate to q

Gates can be chained in sequence:

Single-Qubit Gates

Hadamard Gate

The most important gate - creates equal superposition:

q <- hadamard    -- |0> -> (|0> + |1>)/sqrt(2)

Pauli Gates

The three Pauli gates rotate around different axes:

Gate	Effect
pauli_x	Bit flip: swaps
pauli_y	Bit and phase flip
pauli_z	Phase flip:

Rotation Gates

Parameterized rotations around each axis:

Gate	Description
rx(theta)	Rotate around X-axis by theta radians
ry(theta)	Rotate around Y-axis by theta radians
rz(theta)	Rotate around Z-axis by theta radians

Multi-Qubit Gates

CNOT (Controlled-NOT)

The workhorse of quantum computing - flips the target qubit when the control is |1>:

control, target <- cnot   -- flip target if control is |1>

CZ (Controlled-Z)

Applies a phase flip when both qubits are |1>:

SWAP

Exchanges the states of two qubits:

Toffoli (CCNOT)

A three-qubit gate - flips the target only when both controls are |1>:

Gate Summary

Gate	Qubits	Syntax	Description
hadamard	1	q <- hadamard	Creates superposition
pauli_x	1	q <- pauli_x	Bit flip (NOT)
pauli_y	1	q <- pauli_y	Bit and phase flip
pauli_z	1	q <- pauli_z	Phase flip
rx(theta)	1	q <- rx(1.57)	X-axis rotation
ry(theta)	1	q <- ry(1.57)	Y-axis rotation
rz(theta)	1	q <- rz(1.57)	Z-axis rotation
cnot	2	c, t <- cnot	Controlled-NOT
cz	2	c, t <- cz	Controlled-Z
swap	2	q1, q2 <- swap	Swap qubit states
ccnot	3	c1, c2, t <- ccnot	Toffoli