9,075 research outputs found
Introduction to Quantum Information Processing
As a result of the capabilities of quantum information, the science of
quantum information processing is now a prospering, interdisciplinary field
focused on better understanding the possibilities and limitations of the
underlying theory, on developing new applications of quantum information and on
physically realizing controllable quantum devices. The purpose of this primer
is to provide an elementary introduction to quantum information processing, and
then to briefly explain how we hope to exploit the advantages of quantum
information. These two sections can be read independently. For reference, we
have included a glossary of the main terms of quantum information.Comment: 48 pages, to appear in LA Science. Hyperlinked PDF at
http://www.c3.lanl.gov/~knill/qip/prhtml/prpdf.pdf, HTML at
http://www.c3.lanl.gov/~knill/qip/prhtm
Why Philosophers Should Care About Computational Complexity
One might think that, once we know something is computable, how efficiently
it can be computed is a practical question with little further philosophical
importance. In this essay, I offer a detailed case that one would be wrong. In
particular, I argue that computational complexity theory---the field that
studies the resources (such as time, space, and randomness) needed to solve
computational problems---leads to new perspectives on the nature of
mathematical knowledge, the strong AI debate, computationalism, the problem of
logical omniscience, Hume's problem of induction, Goodman's grue riddle, the
foundations of quantum mechanics, economic rationality, closed timelike curves,
and several other topics of philosophical interest. I end by discussing aspects
of complexity theory itself that could benefit from philosophical analysis.Comment: 58 pages, to appear in "Computability: G\"odel, Turing, Church, and
beyond," MIT Press, 2012. Some minor clarifications and corrections; new
references adde
The Road to Quantum Computational Supremacy
We present an idiosyncratic view of the race for quantum computational
supremacy. Google's approach and IBM challenge are examined. An unexpected
side-effect of the race is the significant progress in designing fast classical
algorithms. Quantum supremacy, if achieved, won't make classical computing
obsolete.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figur
Quantum Computing and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Quantum information processing is the use of inherently quantum mechanical
phenomena to perform information processing tasks that cannot be achieved using
conventional classical information technologies. One famous example is quantum
computing, which would permit calculations to be performed that are beyond the
reach of any conceivable conventional computer. Initially it appeared that
actually building a quantum computer would be extremely difficult, but in the
last few years there has been an explosion of interest in the use of techniques
adapted from conventional liquid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
experiments to build small quantum computers. After a brief introduction to
quantum computing I will review the current state of the art, describe some of
the topics of current interest, and assess the long term contribution of NMR
studies to the eventual implementation of practical quantum computers capable
of solving real computational problems.Comment: 8 pages pdf including 6 figures. Perspectives article commissioned by
PhysChemCom
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