Decoherence

Decoherence is the process by which a quantum system loses its distinct quantum properties, such as superposition and entanglement, as it interacts with its environment. Imagine a tiny particle that can be in multiple states at once; when it interacts with air molecules, photons, or other surroundings, these interactions cause the particle to behave more like a classical object, settling into a definite state. This transition from quantum to classical behavior results in the loss of coherent quantum information, making it challenging to observe or utilize quantum effects in larger, real-world systems.