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Explorations in Quantum Computing
By the year 2020, the basic memory components of a computer will be the size of individual atoms. At such scales, the current theory of computation will become invalid. A new field called "quantum computing" is emerging that is reinventing the foundations of computer science and information theory in a way that is consistent with quantum physics - the most accurate model of reality that is currently known. Remarkably, this new theory predicts that quantum computers can perform certain tasks breathtakingly faster than classical computers, and, better yet, can accomplish mind-boggling feats such as teleporting information, breaking supposedly "unbreakable" codes, generating true random numbers, and communicating with messages that betray the presence of eavesdropping. "Explorations in Quantum Computing" explains these burgeoning developments in simple terms, and describes the key technological hurdles that must be overcome in order to make quantum computers a reality. This book draws upon the very latest research and uses executable software simulations to help explain the material and allow the reader to experiment with the ideas behind quantum computers. This is the ideal text for anyone wishing to learn more about the next, perhaps "ultimate," computer revolution.
- GenresScience
307 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 23, 2011
The second edition of Explorations in Quantum Computing is very disappointing because it could have been much better.
The main problem I found in this book is the staggering number of obvious, distracting typos, mistakes, and errors that are evident of a very poor editing process (or the lack thereof). I was regularly distracted by incomplete sentences, unclosed parenthetical sentences, and, more alarmingly, inconsistent mathematical notations in almost every chapter. Such mistakes strengthen the association I already have between Springer and poor editing.
It even gets worse: there are notes that someone (apparently, the author) has left for himself! The caption of figure 13.7 on page 532 is:
The caption of figure 13.17 on page 543 starts with "this figure needs to be redrawn showing similar concepts."
As for the scientific value of the content, I can't deny that some sections, especially the ones on computational complexity and computational phase transitions, were somewhat informative and interesting for a beginner in quantum computing like me. Nevertheless, the distracting typos and mistakes overshadowed this value and ruined my reading experience.
This edition is overpriced at around $100. There are better, cheaper alternatives. The free alternatives include John Preskill's lecture notes and David Deutsch's video lectures. I'm personally planning to check out Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists by Yanofsky and Mannucci next, which looks like a better, more gentle introduction to quantum computing.
In a nutshell, the second edition of Explorations in Quantum Computing is an overpriced editorial mess that should have never gone to press. You definitely should not waste your money on this edition; you probably should not waste your time on it either.
The main problem I found in this book is the staggering number of obvious, distracting typos, mistakes, and errors that are evident of a very poor editing process (or the lack thereof). I was regularly distracted by incomplete sentences, unclosed parenthetical sentences, and, more alarmingly, inconsistent mathematical notations in almost every chapter. Such mistakes strengthen the association I already have between Springer and poor editing.
It even gets worse: there are notes that someone (apparently, the author) has left for himself! The caption of figure 13.7 on page 532 is:
BB84 protocol TEST ONLY. This figure is copyright protected and cannot be used. A new figure conveying similar information needs to be drawn here. Illustration of the BB84 QKD protocol.
The caption of figure 13.17 on page 543 starts with "this figure needs to be redrawn showing similar concepts."
As for the scientific value of the content, I can't deny that some sections, especially the ones on computational complexity and computational phase transitions, were somewhat informative and interesting for a beginner in quantum computing like me. Nevertheless, the distracting typos and mistakes overshadowed this value and ruined my reading experience.
This edition is overpriced at around $100. There are better, cheaper alternatives. The free alternatives include John Preskill's lecture notes and David Deutsch's video lectures. I'm personally planning to check out Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists by Yanofsky and Mannucci next, which looks like a better, more gentle introduction to quantum computing.
In a nutshell, the second edition of Explorations in Quantum Computing is an overpriced editorial mess that should have never gone to press. You definitely should not waste your money on this edition; you probably should not waste your time on it either.
March 13, 2018
awesome
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews