The Feynman Processor : Quantum Entanglement and the Computing Revolution (Helix Books Series) [Paperback]

Gerard J. Milburn (Author)

Book Description

Series: Frontiers of Science (Reading, Mass.). | Publication Date: December 1, 1999

Quantum computing, the reduction of computing elements to sizes far smaller than that of present-day chips, down to the size of individual atoms, presents new problems, problems on the quantum level. But thanks to new discoveries by Gerard Milburn and other cutting-edge scientists, quantum computing is about to become a reality.In this book, the first one for the general public to explain the scientific ideas behind concepts seen before only in science fiction, physicist Milburn brings us the exciting world of phenomena of entanglement, where particles can be in two places at the same time, where matter on the quantum level can be teleported à la Star Trek’s famous Transporter; and where cryptographers can construct fundamentally unbreakable computer codes.Although other books and magazine articles have dealt with some of the subjects in this book, this is the first book for the layman to deal specifically with quantum computing, an area pioneered by the great physicist Richard Feynman, who first posed the challenge to scientists to devise the smallest, fastest computer elements, to take us to the absolute physical limits of computers. This book promises to both astound and educate every reader eager to keep abreast of the latest breakthroughs in physics and computers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gerard L. Milburn is professor of theoretical physics and head of the Department of Laser Science at the University of Queensland, Australia. He is one of the key scientists in the effort to make quantum computers a reality. Professor Milburn is also the author of Schrödinger Machines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738201731
• ISBN-13: 978-0738201733
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,407,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some good material badly written, with a lot of junk, March 6, 2001

By 

Leo Dirac (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Feynman Processor : Quantum Entanglement and the Computing Revolution (Helix Books Series) (Paperback)

This book is clearly written by a physics professor who doesn't spend much time talking to people who haven't studied physics. I would guess his editor falls into this category as well. The back cover praises its accessibility, a marketing gimmick as obviously deceptive as the sensationalistic chapter names. For example, one chapter, "Teleportation for Gamblers" is named after an obscure quantum phenomenon that has been dubbed teleportation for no apparent reason, has nothing to do with gambling, and is only referred to in passing.

The first four chapters try to give an overview of quantum mechanics to those who haven't studied physics. Even after spending 4 years earning a Bachelor's in Physics, I was only barely able to follow the discussion. If I did not already understand the principles he was explaining, I would never have been able to fill in the holes of explanation.

But my biggest complaint about this section is that he bases the entire discussion on calculating probabilities in a quantum environment. But in trying to avoid complex math, he leaves out essential details. The much more intuitive explanation of superposition of states (whereby an object is in two places or states at the same time) he barely mentions in this section. If the material was presented in this way, all the math would be unnecessary, and the interesting second part of the book would make much more sense.

Beyond that, the book contains numerous factual mistakes. His Turing machine for multiplying on page 99 just doesn't work. On page 109, he says that if you have N objects, and for each object you need to store N pieces of information that have a total of N^N pieces of information. The correct answer, N^2, makes his point much less dramatic.

The last two chapters are interesting indeed. They discuss what is possible with a quantum computer, and the state of research in 1998. I recommend that if you do buy this book, only read the last two chapters. If you can't follow it, look anywhere else for an explanation. The first four chapters will not help.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Give me back my equations!, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Feynman Processor: Quantum Entanglement And The Computing Revolution (Frontiers of Science (Perseus Books)) (Hardcover)

This book reminds me of Stephen Hawking's ``A Brief History of Time'', in that it consciously and conspicuously omits mathematical symbolism beyond high-school level. IMHO, this is a mistake, as it renders the material opaque, thereby serving neither the amateur nor the professional. Although it's almost heresy to say so, Emperor Hawking's book had no clothes.

Although I have some knowledge of mathematics and quantum mechanics, the tiresome translations of concise expressions into long-winded textual explanations left me confused and bored. I feel that the lay person will also skim over them as completely as if they had been the original formulae.

That said, the material is important, as is expressing these concepts to a broader audience. The book is well-organised, and deserves more work. I humbly request a second, edited edition.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The book could only add to the reader's confusion., May 23, 1999

By 

Dr. J. Toofan ([e-mail]) (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Feynman Processor: Quantum Entanglement And The Computing Revolution (Frontiers of Science (Perseus Books)) (Hardcover)

This book is intended for a non-scientific person. Unfortunately, the short references and unclear points made in the book could only add to the reader's confusion. For instance, sometimes the author has tried to simplify the subject with more than obvious explanations, and then at other places he explain things with an elaborate scheme of "AND " and "NOT" gates! The content of most chapters are composed of incongruent subjects glued together. The basic principle of quantum physics, the Heisenberg Uncertainly and Max Born probability, is presented in an example which is referred to repeatedly across the book for non-technical people. The main idea of the book is forgotten during explanation of long sections which follows no style. Unfortunately, the book can not be used by people familiar with the quantum theory either because of non-mathematical representation of the subject. In general, it would be hard for any reader to follow the course of the concepts presented in this book. This book convinced me more than ever that writing scientific subjects for the public is by itself a science!