Customer Reviews

Quantum Computing (Natural Computing Series)

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There is, by now, some variety of textbooks to choose from, covering quantum computing and quantum information;-- the output of research papers has been explosive since Peter Shor discovered his algorithm. Two books stand out as being especially ready for use in the class room, the one by Nielsen-Chuang, and the present one by Hirvensalo. The first covers more ground in physics (theory), and has a bigger selection of exercises;-- the second stresses the math and the CS side of the subject;-- it has more worked examples. It can be readily used in the classroom in a one semester course, and it will go over well with students in both math and in CS. The level is even, and a beginning student can progress in steps, following the text, and doing the exercises.

This book provides a good intro to Quantum Computing for beginners, plus it gives a clear presentation of the current results to more advanced readers. It does, to put it in the author's words, provides a good bridge between quantum mechanics and the theory of computation. It covers the basics, Turing Machines, some Theory of Computation, Shor's factorization algorithm, Grover's Method, etc.

It also has some helpful appendices for beginners in the end.

Quantum Algorithms are covered fairly well, but as the author himself acknowledges, Qm. Info. theory, Qm. Communication, Qm. error Correcting, Qm. Crypto. etc are not covered.

On the whole, a good read. Highly recommended.

In short: very small book in terms of pages (Under 200), discusses and reviews major Mathematical concepts around Computer Science, Number Theory and Quantum Computing including Shor's Theorom. The author being a Mathematician, seems to be very good at describing these topics in a concise manner. The book briefly introduces material from Theoretical CS (e.g. From Computer Language Theory such as Turing machines etc.) as well as Number theory (Abelian groups etc.) for people who may not have that background.