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

7.1 Introducing quantum bits

If you have seen descriptions of qubits elsewhere, you may have read something like ‘‘a qubit implements a two-state quantum mechanical system and is the quantum analog of a classical bit.’’ A bit, as we saw in section 2.1

Those other discussions then usually include one or more of the following: light switches, spinning electrons, polarized light, and rotating coins or donuts. I don’t spend my days thinking about electrons but I do like sunglasses and donuts. These approaches all have merit and are the basis for teasing apart the difference between the quantum and classical situations. The electron and polarized light examples do depict quantum systems.

Otherwise, analogies tend to be imperfect and eventually may lead you into corners where their behavior and your understanding are not consistent with the real situation. It’s for this reason we developed the essential mathematics and insight to...