Final answer:
Superconducting qubits require periodic calibration owing to the sensitivity of their quantum states to external factors and the limitations imposed by quantum mechanical principles such as the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Superconducting qubits need periodic calibration due to their operations being based on quantum mechanics principles, where fluctuations and instability can occur at microscopic levels, affecting their quantum states. These qubits operate in a regime where effects like the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle play a significant role, which suggests that there is a fundamental limit to the precision with which pairs of physical properties, such as position and momentum, can be known simultaneously.
In addition, phenomena such as the Josephson effect and the properties of Cooper pairs and energy gaps understood through BCS theory in superconductors are sensitive to external factors like temperature, magnetic fields, and even cosmic radiation. Over time, these external factors can alter the parameters of a qubit's quantum state. Therefore, calibration is necessary to adjust for these deviations and maintain the desired quantum behavior required for accurate computation.
Lastly, as described with SQUIDs, which also rely on superconducting properties, their extreme sensitivity to external conditions further illustrates the need for regular calibration to ensure reliability and precision in superconducting systems such as qubits.