Quantum Computing for Everyone (Mit Press)

This book will not turn you into an expert on quantum computing, but it is impossible to imagine a clearer yet thorough introduction to the underlying concepts. The book uses linear algebra to discuss quantum physics —no surprise there— but instead of dragging the student through full blown infinite dimensional Hilbert Spaces, Dr. Bernhardt uses only a two- dimensional (mostly) vector space over Real numbers to illustrate the concepts. The explanations of each new bit of information are amazing clear, so the book really requires only a background of high school math. However, the simplified approach does not mean the subject is hopelessly watered down. The reader ends up understanding things like tensor products of kets and the Kronecker tensor product of matrices. All in all, Dr. Bernhardt does a superb job. There are a few minor typos and there is an errata available at http://faculty.fairfield.edu/cbernhardt/Errata%20to%20Quantum%20Computing%20for%20Everyone.pdf. This book gives you a solid introduction, but follow on texts will be necessary if you hope to actually create quantum programs and design algorithms. So will a lot more math. All in all, I found this book to be truly excellent introduction to a subject that can be daunting. You will need to stop, think, and re-read at times to get the most out of it, but it clear, accessible and well written. I recommend it.

Despite being around for decades, the words “quantum mechanics” still make eyes roll even in a room of educated people. Few really understand the phenomena. Among those more scientifically minded, some – thankfully fewer in number – still argue that quantum mechanics will give way someday to a more classical approach. The controversial part of quantum mechanics, which foiled even Albert Einstein, states that to measure the spin or velocity of an electron, one must interfere with the system permanently. This enmeshment of the measurer with the system confuses people, but numerous experiments highlight this paradox. It seems to be an innate part of the universe, not merely a technological limitation. Smart physicists and mathematicians have noticed an opportunity around quantum mechanics: We can address computational questions with its approach. A system of “qubits” can be used to address problems that classical computing cannot address. This observation has produced a new scientific field of quantum computing. Recently, major companies have begun to jump into this technology in a quest for early supremacy. Most textbooks use a lot of math to introduce quantum computing – rightfully so because mathematics provide the basis towards all computation. But a math-heavy approach makes the field relatively inaccessible. To address this shortcoming, Chris Bernhardt provides an introduction to the subject with less mathematics. The book teaches basic linear algebra needed to approach the subject. It’s still heavy on the words, not the mathematics, and draws out applications and challenges that confront the field. Since a child, I have loved mathematics and its creative expressivity. I enjoyed how Bernhardt introduced me to relevant concepts and drew me into quantum concepts. By the end of the book, however, I glazed over the mathematics in favor of just getting the book completed. Perhaps that is a personal failing, but it’s one that I witnessed in many of my college math classes, too! I found the next-to-last chapter on quantum algorithms the least accessible, but the last chapter on quantum applications was the most interesting. Those in the investment community can find a deep dive into this topic helpful to carefully discover future winners and losers in this burgeoning field. Quantum computing presently requires a lot of money to access, but presumably, like classical computing, that cost will go down with time. This field is fascinating to think about, and Bernhardt makes it truly accessible “for (almost) everyone.”

It's a good to great book on the subject. The author obviously knows the subject very well. Unfortunately I'm not a polymath and 90% of the book is math proofs. It's pretty awesome to see the math behind many quantum mechanic/computing subjects, but I'm just not smart enough to comprehend most of it. The author absolutely explains most of it, but it's quickly gets so advanced that I just couldn't follow it (confession, I was only a B/C/D student in math in high school and only got to Algebra II/Trig (although I did ace Calculus in college). It covers a few quantum topics such as entanglement, teleportation, BB84, algorithms (in general), circuits, and annealing especially well. I learned more about annealing from this book than I had from the other 10 quantum books I have read recently. His circuit coverage from the very basics to how they are used in quantum computation are extraordinarily good. No one else comes close. But many other quantum subjects are not covered as thoroughly or are missing completely. This should not be your first or only book on quantum mechanics and/or computing. Author only barely covers actual quantum computers and only focuses on a few types. I'm better for having read it, but really wished I had the math background (or really interest) to commit myself to understanding it all. And it is really a lot of math.

As a computer scientist and a mathematician, I found this to be very easy to understand and quite enjoyable to read. I think the author did an excellent job of simplifying the nuances of QC without brushing over important topics. Although it is intended for general audience, I would have found it difficult if I had not known computer science and linear algebra. However, if you have any elementary understanding of CS and linear algebra, you should be able to appreciate this book. My only issue with the book is that I would have liked to see the author provide more information about future directions in QC research and open opportunities to be tackled by incoming researchers. All in all, if you are looking for a good introduction to QC, but a serious treatment of the subject, give this one a try.

I found Bernhardt's book to be both an extremely accessible and rigorous introduction to quantum computing. The writing is very good and the book has elements of a good story with one topic feeding well into the next. One unusual feature of the book is that it treats quantum computing over the reals rather than the complex numbers, with indications here and there how things would be different over the complex numbers. The book starts off with a nice account of the Stern-Gerlach experiment to explain spin, mentioning how the same conclusions can be arrived at simply by using polarised filters and ordinary light. There is then a self-contained chapter on linear algebra as a physicist sees it, using bras and kets. The book then progresses to talk about qubits, entanglement, and a host of other topics. The topics I enjoyed most were the following: (i) The description of the BB84 protocol for determining if someone is eavesdropping on a communication line, (ii) the description of entanglement, including physical means of entangling qubits (though I supplemented the material with information from the Internet), (iii) the discussion of Bell's Theorem, Einstein's views and hidden variables (again I supplemented with information from the Internet), (iv) the discussion of quantum gates, (v) the no cloning theorem, (vi) quantum teleportation and (vii) the discussion of the Deutsch, Deutsch-Jozsa and Simon problems and algorithms. The coverage of Shor's and Grover's algorithms were too sketchy for me to follow well. Perhaps a sequel will cover these more rigorously. All in all a very lucid and enjoyable intro to quantum computing that I recommend highly!

If you just want the math, this book is OK - BUT, it doesn't really show how to do a calculation. Even something like, how to add two numbers, multiply two numbers.... it covers fancier applications like encoding secret messages (that supposedly are the reasons these computers are worth building)... but - some easy examples would really be nice

Amazing reading experience, while enriching my knowledge of the quantum computer, algorithm, quantum phenomena involved. Definitely concise, very engaging book!!! Highly recommended!!!

A really fantastic, comprehensive analysis of quantum computation. Well researched with clear examples of most principles of this emerging technology. Really enjoyed this book but it does require some foundational mathematics - predominantly linear algebra and matrices. So much information in such a short book! My compliments to the author. I am indebted to his work.

Really fascinating book, great attempt to make an exotic field accessible to a broad audience and a great introduction to and explanation of both quantum physics and quantum computing. The maths are however still very present (as they are essential to the explanation itself) and - although well explained - not to be underestimated. Having studied quite some maths and had an intro course in quantum physics I can follow everything rather well, but cannot guarantee it would be the same for everyone.

Um ótimo custo benefício e fácil de levar para ler

Es un libro relativamente breve que hace lo posible para simplificar las matemáticas de algo no trivial como la mecánica cuántica. Enseña algunos algoritmos de ejemplo para que se entienda el potencial. El libro ha escogido ser breve, conciso y atemporal centrándose en : - Principios básicos de computación cuántica - Algortimos de ejemplo - La mínima matemática y física necesaria Lo que no es: - Un libro de mecánica cuántica - Un libro sobre el estado del hardware. Eso es algo que posiblemente cambie en cada momento - Un manual de física - Un libro de referencia con toda la matemática y todos los posibles algoritmos con el estado del arte Debo decir que yo parto de una formación de ingeniería que ya había dado mecánica cuántica en la carrera hace más de una década.

I am satisfied with the purchase and highly recommend it! An important note is that knowledge of mathematics (linear functions) is required to understand it. The product itself is excellent.

You get more than just a superficial overview. The author "patiently" introduces you to basic Linear Algebra early on, and uses this throughout the book to give you a good appreciation to the underlying concepts. He covers and explains many concepts extremely well and with enough mathematical meat in it. He does a very good job in repeating and spoon feeding you with the math to help clarify these difficult concepts. However, towards the end of the book there was less spoon feeding and things do get a little hairy with quantum algorithms... If anything negative, there are a few typo errors but no big deal. I would have liked the mathematical spoon feeding to continue right to the end. I guess this would have resulted into an entanglement theory textbook... not what the author had in mind.