Your understanding is partially correct, but let me clarify the concept of information in quantum computers.
In classical computers, information is indeed stored and processed using bits, which can be in one of two states: 0 or 1. This binary representation forms the basis of classical computation.
In quantum computers, information is stored and processed using quantum bits, or qubits. Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in a superposition of states. A qubit can represent a combination of 0 and 1 simultaneously, with certain probabilities assigned to each state. The superposition is a fundamental characteristic of quantum mechanics.
While it is true that the information stored in a superposition is not directly accessible until a measurement occurs, the superposition itself is not devoid of information. The probabilities associated with different states in the superposition contain valuable information. When a measurement is made, the wave function representing the superposition "collapses" to a specific state, and the corresponding classical outcome is obtained.
Quantum algorithms take advantage of this unique feature by manipulating qubits in a way that the superposition encodes and processes information in parallel. Through quantum gates and quantum operations, quantum algorithms can exploit the interference and entanglement properties of qubits to perform computations more efficiently for specific tasks.
It is essential to note that during the computation, qubits should be carefully controlled and protected from decoherence, which is the unwanted interaction of the qubits with their surrounding environment, leading to the loss of quantum information. Various techniques, such as quantum error correction, are being developed to address this challenge.
In summary, while the information stored in a superposition is not immediately accessible, the superposition itself, with its associated probabilities, represents encoded information. By manipulating and utilizing these quantum states, quantum algorithms can process information in parallel and potentially solve certain problems more efficiently than classical computers.