Quantum computation and quantum information†

†This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Abstract

The paper is intended to be a survey of all the important aspects and results that have shaped the field of quantum computation and quantum information. The reader is first familiarized with those features and principles of quantum mechanics providing a more efficient and secure information processing. Their applications to the general theory of information, cryptography, algorithms, computational complexity and error-correction are then discussed. Prospects for building a practical quantum computer are also analyzed.

†This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Keywords:

• Quantum mechanics
• Qubit
• Superposition
• Interference
• Measurement
• Entanglement
• Quantum gates
• Information theory
• Cryptography
• Quantum computer
• Algorithms
• Complexity
• Error-correction
• Experiments

Notes

†[email protected]

†This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

^† The term “decoherence” is sometimes used to denote the alteration of a quantum state in general. Hopefully, the context in which it is used can always eliminate any possible ambiguity.

^† Note that conventional repeaters cannot be used due to the no-cloning theorem.

^† Note how the knowledge about Bob's subsystem (qubit) is relative to the two observers, Alice and Bob.

^† Text in “bold” is meant to highlight important open problems or areas of intense research.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Selim G. Akl

† †[email protected]