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

by Gerard J. Milburn (Author)

9 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0738201733

ISBN-10: 0738201731

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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.

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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.

Series: Frontiers of Science (Reading, Mass.).
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Basic Books (December 1, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0738201731
ISBN-13: 978-0738201733
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 9 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,115,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #363 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware & DIY > Mainframes & Minicomputers
- #2622 in Books > Science & Math > Physics > Quantum Theory
- #7266 in Books > Textbooks > Science & Mathematics > Physics

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A. Shiekh

Very confusing

September 3, 2005

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Mathematics was invented for a reason, and the avoidance of even simple mathematics makes this book near unintelligible. Further, the habit of versing quantum theory in terms of genetics, real and imagined, further separates the subject mater from the reader; and giving Feynman credit for how probability amplitudes add would probably not please him at all. Give this one a wide berth and read instead 'The quest for the quantum computer' by Julian Brown which is everything this book is not.

7 people found this helpful8 people found this helpful

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j bryan

quantum computing research currently in the news

January 12, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Timely reading with ongoing US and Swiss quantum computing research currently newsworthy due to NSA wanting fast processors to break codes in the war on terrorism.

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Jack_Nitski

Modeling the world when you don't know the precise parameters - the craps shoot in physics and computation.

July 22, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Reading unfinished, this is a document of thought-bending topics: Probability and Physical models converge.
Heady topics often requiring contemplation or research, prior to moving forward.

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Leo Dirac

Some good material badly written, with a lot of junk

March 6, 2001

Format: 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.

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eprpair@hotmail.com

Reading this book requires plenty of patience

January 14, 2000

Format: Hardcover

By reading "The Feynman Processor" don't hope to get deep insight into the field of quantum computation, but expect to get inspiration for studying the physics in more detail.
The author has attempted to write a semi-popular text on quantum computation suitable for the reader with little knowledge of quantum physics. Therefore, throughout the text no mathematical formulae to speak of are displayed. Moreover, an introductory chapter has been included describing some of the characteristic features of quantum physics.
Before discussing quantum computation the reader is confronted with related topics such as 'quantum entanglement' and even 'quantum teleportation'. Unfortunately, long arguments and reasoning are sometimes placed in the middle of a section without warning. This makes some sections of the book frustratingly hard to read -- for the beginner as well as for the more experienced physicist. But if the reader makes it through the first half of the book, the second half dealing with quantum computation itself will be more pleasing to read.
Disappointingly, not many references are listed. Also, the figures included remind somewhat of hasty job. Even though much can be said about "The Feynman Processor", the information provided by Prof. Milburn is reliable and up to date (1998).

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Dr. J. Toofan (toofanj@excite.com)

The book could only add to the reader's confusion.

May 23, 1999

Format: 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!

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R. Lazarovits

A very ordinary effort

August 13, 2006

Format: Paperback

This book does not take you through quantum computing in any logical way. The author does not explain where he is going with his lengthy examples in each section. Instead he tends to launch into hard to follow, artificially concocted examples with little rationale and then move to the next topic without a conclusion or a reason for why he put the reader through such boring experience. The discussion of the Bohr - Einstein debate told me nothing of what the debate was about and there are many references to the EPR without any real explanation of what was in it. There must be a better way to understand this subject else I will have to conclude that Einstein was right and God really does play dice. Give this book a miss... it is simply not worth the effort. Even my one star is generous.

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