Ultimate Zero and One : Computing at the Quantum Frontier [Hardcover]

Colin P. Williams (Author), Scott Clearwater (Author), Scott H. Clearwater (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387947698 | ISBN-13: 978-0387947693 | Publication Date: October 22, 1999 | Edition: 1

As miniaturisation deepens, and nanotechnology and its machines become more prevalent in the real world, the need to consider using quantum mechanical concepts to perform various tasks in computation increases. Such tasks include: the teleporting of information, breaking heretofore "unbreakable" codes, communicating with messages that betray eavesdropping, and the generation of random numbers. This is the first book to apply quantum physics to the basic operations of a computer, representing the ideal vehicle for explaining the complexities of quantum mechanics to students, researchers and computer engineers, alike, as they prepare to design and create the computing and information delivery systems for the future. Both authors have solid backgrounds in the subject matter at the theoretical and more practical level. While serving as a text for senior/grad level students in computer science/physics/engineering, this book has its primary use as an up-to-date reference work in the emerging interdisciplinary field of quantum computing - the only prerequisite being knowledge of calculus and familiarity with the concept of the Turing machine.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Colin Williams is a researcher in the Ultracomputing Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, and on the faculty in the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University.

Scott Clearwater is a consultant specializing in scientific and technical problem solving. Previously, he has worked at various laboratories in academia, government, and industry.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (October 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387947698
• ISBN-13: 978-0387947693
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,747,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Intellectual Challenge!, December 7, 1999

By 

Donald P. Galamaga (Warwick, RI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Zero and One : Computing at the Quantum Frontier (Hardcover)

Williams has framed the conundrum posed by the quest for higher and higher speeds and smaller and smaller formats for computing in an excellent statement of the problem and an intriguing response. If capable of being implemented, this seminal book for the scientifically oriented lay person, posits an entirely new way to look at computing and telecommunications, using current knowledge and its extensions concerning quantum physics, to outline a design for computers and communicators (teleporters?) of the future. As he states, at the present pace of computing speed development, we will be at the ultimate speed and molecular level in approximately the year 2028. Then what? Quantum computing. The book is also an intriguing teaser for venture capitalists, who may wish to get in on the bottom line in this endeavor. The rewards, if achievable, are almost boundless. It is interesting to note that a cover of the new magazine SKEPTIC pans quantum cmechanics,, by relegating its image to the label of an elixir bottle. Is this another "fountain of youth?" or "cold fusion?" The author makes a strong, if not somewhat complex case for a negative response to that question. This is a must read for cutting edge thinkers both in the realm of computing and physics and deserves a studied analysis. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate Qbook, January 4, 2001

By 

Relentless "skepticalbeliever" (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Zero and One : Computing at the Quantum Frontier (Hardcover)

If you are interested in the promising field of quantum computing, this one is the primer to read. It's very well written, coherent, and goes deep enough as to challenge the reader's mind. However, don't be intimidated by the math. Even if one skips the mathematical concepts the reader will be able to understand the book and more importantly the concepts behind it. Good read, good buy.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars interesting material, poor presentation, December 26, 2001

By 

BlakeJ "bjohnson194" (Wayzata, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Zero and One : Computing at the Quantum Frontier (Hardcover)

This book covers some interesting material; I especially liked the chapter which discussed obtaining the results of a quantum computation without actually running the computer. The authors also give some very complete explanations of fundamental concepts such as the workings of a quantum logic gate and RSA encryption. However, their explanations are also riddled with errors and undefined notation. Often, they will spend a great deal of time explaning rather trivial things, then in the next paragraph introduce the next step with a new notation and not define it!! The result is that the calculations are often hard to follow.

This book is a good read for those interesting in learning about the basics of quantum computers, but look elsewhere for a more rigourous treatment of the mathematics of quantum computing.