Classical and Quantum Computation (Graduate Studies in Mathematics) - Softcover

A. Yu. Kitaev; A. H. Shen; M. N. Vyalyi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0821832298 ISBN 13: 9780821832295

Publisher: Amer Mathematical Society, 2002

Synopsis

This book is an introduction to a new rapidly developing theory of quantum computing. It begins with the basics of classical theory of computation: Turing machines, Boolean circuits, parallel algorithms, probabilistic computation, NP-complete problems, and the idea of complexity of an algorithm. The second part of the book provides an exposition of quantum computation theory. It starts with the introduction of general quantum formalism (pure states, density matrices, and superoperators), universal gate sets and approximation theorems. Then the authors study various quantum computation algorithms: Grover's algorithm, Shor's factoring algorithm, and the Abelian hidden subgroup problem. In concluding sections, several related topics are discussed (parallel quantum computation, a quantum analog of NP-completeness, and quantum error-correcting codes).

Rapid development of quantum computing started in 1994 with a stunning suggestion by Peter Shor to use quantum computation for factoring large numbers--an extremely difficult and time-consuming problem when using a conventional computer. Shor's result spawned a burst of activity in designing new algorithms and in attempting to actually build quantum computers. Currently, the progress is much more significant in the former: A sound theoretical basis of quantum computing is under development and many algorithms have been suggested.

In this concise text, the authors provide solid foundations to the theory--in particular, a careful analysis of the quantum circuit model--and cover selected topics in depth. Included are a complete proof of the Solovay-Kitaev theorem with accurate algorithm complexity bounds, approximation of unitary operators by circuits of doubly logarithmic depth. Among other interesting topics are toric codes and their relation to the anyon approach to quantum computing.

About this title

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

Review

The first part of the book ... consists of a compact introduction to classical complexity theory ... provides an elegant summary of the definitions and some of the tools required for the rest of the book ... The book is concluded with the solutions to all (!) exercises ... I liked this book a lot and think that it provides an excellent complement to the existing books on quantum computation ... Big pluses are the rigorous treatment of complexity issues, the introduction of the density matrix formalism early on, and complete solutions to all exercises ... translation has been done remarkably well ... concise ... researchers in the area will like it. --Mathematical Reviews

The aim of the book is to teach the wonders of the qubit-algorithms. While other books, such as Nielsen-Chuang, serve as (more or less) comprehensive references, the present book is focused on complexity. Mathematical prerequisites are minimal, but a reader with some understanding of basic ideas from CS, and quantum theory will get more out of Kitaev, et al ... Really well done, and nicely updated; a handy appendix was added, covering elementary math terms that are used ... The book does a great job in explaining the fundamentals ... The big question is why some qubit-algorithms are a lot better than classical counterparts ... a reader comes away with a good understanding of this in the end. --Palle Jorgensen

Definitions and theorems are stated precisely ... proofs are written with an eye towards rigor ... most mathematicians will feel at home with the presentation of the material ... main points are explained carefully and precisely ... contains a number of exercises, with solutions to all ... well suited to mathematicians interested in quantum algorithms. --MAA Monthly

Edition details

• Publisher: Amer Mathematical Society
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0821832298
• ISBN 13: 9780821832295
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 272