Quantum Computing Explained [Hardcover]

David McMahon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470096993 | ISBN-13: 978-0470096994 | Publication Date: December 4, 2007 | Edition: 1

A self-contained treatment of the fundamentals of quantum computing

This clear, practical book takes quantum computing out of the realm of theoretical physics and teaches the fundamentals of the field to students and professionals who have not had training in quantum computing or quantum information theory, including computer scientists, programmers, electrical engineers, mathematicians, physics students, and chemists. The author cuts through the conventions of typical jargon-laden physics books and instead presents the material through his unique "how-to" approach and friendly, conversational style.

Readers will learn how to carry out calculations with explicit details and will gain a fundamental grasp of:
*

Quantum mechanics
*

Quantum computation
*

Teleportation
*

Quantum cryptography
*

Entanglement
*

Quantum algorithms
*

Error correction

A number of worked examples are included so readers can see how quantum computing is done with their own eyes, while answers to similar end-of-chapter problems are provided for readers to check their own work as they learn to master the information.

Ideal for professionals and graduate-level students alike, Quantum Computing Explained delivers the fundamentals of quantum computing readers need to be able to understand current research papers and go on to study more advanced quantum texts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is friendly alternative for beginners…rookies can self-train by using the book, while gurus can follow the contents to deliver lectures." (Computing Reviews, August 13, 2008)

From the Back Cover

A self-contained treatment of the fundamentals of quantum computing

This clear, practical book takes quantum computing out of the realm of theoretical physics and teaches the fundamentals of the field to students and professionals who have not had training in quantum computing or quantum information theory, including computer scientists, programmers, electrical engineers, mathematicians, physics students, and chemists. The author cuts through the conventions of typical jargon-laden physics books and instead presents the material through his unique "how-to" approach and friendly, conversational style.

Readers will learn how to carry out calculations with explicit details and will gain a fundamental grasp of:

• Quantum mechanics

• Quantum computation

• Teleportation

• Quantum cryptography

• Entanglement

• Quantum algorithms

• Error correction

A number of worked examples are included so readers can see how quantum computing is done with their own eyes, while answers to similar end-of-chapter problems are provided for readers to check their own work as they learn to master the information.

Ideal for professionals and graduate-level students alike, Quantum Computing Explained delivers the fundamentals of quantum computing readers need to be able to understand current research papers and go on to study more advanced quantum texts.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 332 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Computer Society Pr; 1 edition (December 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470096993
• ISBN-13: 978-0470096994
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,481,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am is the author of Linear Algebra Demystified, Quantum Mechanics Demystified, Relativity Demystified, and A Beginner's Guide to Mathematica. He holds advanced degrees in physics and mathematics and works as a consultant at Sandia and Los Alamos National laboratories. He has worked on space nuclear propulsion, the ITER fusion project, optics, and quantum information theory. More information about my books including sample text can be found at http://www.davidmcmahonbooks.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars extended maths examples, December 14, 2007

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quantum Computing Explained (Hardcover)

If you already have taken courses in elementary quantum mechanics, McMahon removes much of the mystery about quantum computing. The first portion of the book centres on the mathematical preparation. Describing probability distributions, linear algebra and finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a system.

It is only around the middle of the book that we start to seriously encounter quantum computing. Bell's Theorem on quantum entanglement, and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen conjecture. Then we get to qubits and quantum searching.

Unlike other books on the subject, McMahon's narrative is generously interspersed with many examples. These tend to be simple mathematically, but they illustrate key points. The problem is that when you read research papers and other texts, much is left to the reader, in terms of verifying the maths. The emphasis in McMahon is indeed on providing extended and simple explanations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Text on Quantum Computing, June 2, 2011

By 

Vincent Russo "Vincent Russo" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quantum Computing Explained (Hardcover)

I cannot give enough positive feedback about this book. Many other textbooks on quantum computing simply state exercises for the reader, but lack any solution manual for personal study. As a computer scientist without any formal training on quantum theory, I've found this to be an essential book for furthering my understanding of the subject.

The author explicitly shows the steps for all of the exercises sprinkled generously throughout the book. This makes someone with an adequate mathematical background able to easily grasp the subject matter, and see why certain things in quantum information work the way they do. Previously many of my assumptions in the field were a result of things I had read in other texts, but that had not been presented in such a clear manner.

If you actually take the time to work along with the author on the exercises (and try to solve them before looking at the solution), I promise, you will gain an intuition for the subject that many other books do not present as clearly.

The scope of the book is incredibly thorough, first touching on the basics of linear algebra in regard to quantum information and moving toward quantum cryptography, entanglement, superdense coding, quantum circuits/algorithms, etc.

Depending on the audience, I would recommend the reader have had some Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Statistics. Of course, the eager reader without the formal training should not be discouraged, as many of the resources can be found throughout the web on such sites as Khan Academy. A thorough understanding of the previously mentioned will ensure you get the most out of this book. I'd highly recommend this book to someone wanting to gain a more in-depth understanding on the innate details of the mathematical process of quantum computing.