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

11.3 Light and photons

Light literally illuminates the things around us. It can be as dim and small as a faraway star on a clear night, or can be harsh and bright as the sun or the output of welding equipment. Understanding exactly the nature of light was a major research direction in physics in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The answers ended up being far more complicated than anyone imagined, gave birth to quantum mechanics, and involved the electromagnetic spectrum well beyond visible light.

11.3.1 Photons

Does light behave like a wave, with varying amplitude A (height) and frequency ν? The wavelength λ is the distance between two wave crests or other corresponding points. (λ is the Greek letter ‘‘lambda’’ and ν is the Greek letter ‘‘nu’’.)

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Or does light behave like a particle with a well-defined shape, shooting off in various directions...