Example Concept: Quantum error correction codes like the surface code use a lattice of physical qubits to encode logical qubits, allowing for the detection and correction of errors due to continuous noise. By performing stabilizer measurements, the code identifies error syndromes, which indicate the presence and type of errors (e.g., bit-flip or phase-flip) without directly measuring the quantum state. The correction process involves applying specific gate operations to reverse the detected errors, thus maintaining the integrity of the logical qubit.