Book Image

Dancing with Qubits

By : Robert S. Sutor
5 (1)
Book Image

Dancing with Qubits

5 (1)
By: Robert S. Sutor

Overview of this book

Quantum computing is making us change the way we think about computers. Quantum bits, a.k.a. qubits, can make it possible to solve problems that would otherwise be intractable with current computing technology. Dancing with Qubits is a quantum computing textbook that starts with an overview of why quantum computing is so different from classical computing and describes several industry use cases where it can have a major impact. From there it moves on to a fuller description of classical computing and the mathematical underpinnings necessary to understand such concepts as superposition, entanglement, and interference. Next up is circuits and algorithms, both basic and more sophisticated. It then nicely moves on to provide a survey of the physics and engineering ideas behind how quantum computing hardware is built. Finally, the book looks to the future and gives you guidance on understanding how further developments will affect you. Really understanding quantum computing requires a lot of math, and this book doesn't shy away from the necessary math concepts you'll need. Each topic is introduced and explained thoroughly, in clear English with helpful examples.
Table of Contents (16 chapters)
Preface
13
Afterword

11
Getting Physical

The non-physicist finds it hard to believe that really
the ordinary laws of physics, which he regards as the
prototype of inviolable precision,
should be based on the statistical tendency of matter
to go over into disorder.

Erwin Schrödinger [26]

It’s now time to discuss some considerations about how we go from theoretical mathematics and physics to the applied and experimental.

The qubits we make in the lab for research and those we will create for commercial use are physical hardware devices. As such, they are subject to noise from the environment, electronic components, and manufacturing choices. Hardware improvements decrease the disturbances, but software and system ones can too. The long-term goal is to have fully error corrected, fault-tolerant quantum computing devices.

Since we’re talking about physics, I explain the questionable fate of Schrödinger...