Quantum Computing For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1 The Power of Quantum Computing
Chapter 1 Quantum Computing Boot Camp
Understanding Why Quantum Computing Is So Strange
Grasping the Power of Quantum Computing
Introducing Puff, the magic — qubit?
Superposition, the first quantum superpower
Welcoming foreign entanglements
Enabling quantum computing with coherence
Doing the Math for the Power of Quantum Computing
Examining What Quantum Computing Will Do for People
Describing Different Types of Quantum Computing
Quantum-inspired computing
Quantum annealing
Gate-based quantum computing
Addressing What’s Stopping Us
Chapter 2 Looking Back to Early and Classical Computing
Understanding Why Classical Computers Are Not Going Away
Looking Back to the Prehistory of Computers
Counting on the abacus, a forerunner of the classical computer
Unearthing the Antikythera, an early orrery
Calculating why the slide rule no longer rules
Assessing what we can learn from early computers
Tracking the Emergence of Classical Computing
Counting on the arrival of tabulating machines
Examining a mathematical model for classical computers
Commemorating the first electronic computer
Understanding the invention of byte-sized data
Tracking the rise of ICs and microprocessors
Joining Classical Computing and Quantum Computing
Chapter 3 Examining the Roots of Quantum Computing
Identifying the Keys to Quantum Mechanics
Finding the fundamentals of fundamental particles
Counting the cost of coherence
Identifying the Effect of Uncertainty
Summarizing the History of Quantum Mechanics
Tracing the development of classical mechanics
Beginning the quantum revolution
Continuing the quantum revolution
Laying the groundwork for quantum computing
Spotting “spooky action at a distance”
Chapter 4 Introducing Quantum Technology 1.0
Finding Lasers at the Cutting Edge
Studying Quantum Mechanics After 1930
Speeding the Race for Solar Cells (1890s)
Eyeing Electron Microscopes (1931, 1965, and 1981)
Optimizing the Transistor (1947)
Telling Time with Atomic Clocks (1955)
Heating Up Masers and Lasers (1953 and 1960)
Scanning for NMR and MRI Devices (1977)
Assessing the Effects of Quantum Technology 1.0
Chapter 5 Unveiling Quantum Computing
Nailing Together a Framework for Quantum Computing
Theorizing in the 1960s and 1970s
Foretelling quantum computing and nanotech
Keeping cool with reversibility
Quantizing money — it’s a hit
Cloning quantum states is a no-go no-no
Regretting what you can’t have
Discovering a star (in information theory)
Laying the Groundwork in the 1980s
Extending Turing machines to the quantum realm
Speaking out on quantum computing
Describing a universal quantum computer
Espying the CNOT gate
Modeling a real quantum computer
Annealing for optimization
Breaking through in the 1990s with Algorithms and Hardware
Connecting with quantum communications
Unveiling the first quantum-specific algorithm
Shaking the multiverse with Shor’s algorithm
Calling quantum for the defense
Initiating quantum error correction
Finding a groove with Grover’s algorithm
Manifesting a working quantum computer
Hitting seven lucky qubits in hardware
Starting Today’s Quantum Computing Race
Chapter 6 Quantum Computing Accelerates
Pushing Technical Progress Forward, 2000–2010
Seeing Shor’s algorithm executed (Shor unharmed)
Making a quantum leap in education
Experiencing spooky action at astronomical distances
Moving toward a fully implemented computer
Investing More Resources from 2010-2015
Shipping a working annealer from D-Wave
Adding software to the incorporation party
Causing a quantum panic with Edward Snowden
Putting down (square?) roots in quantum computing with Google
Bending the Arc of Progress Upward, 2016 to Today
Offering quantum computing through the cloud
Ruling that there ought to be a law
Going universal with IBM
Claiming quantum supremacy with Google and others
Getting entangled in a Nobel effort
Asserting quantum utility with IBM
Finding Out What’s Still Needed for Quantum Computing
Part 2 Quantum Computing Options
Chapter 7 Choosing Between Classical and Quantum Computing
Identifying Limitations in Classical Computing
Watching the sun go down on Moore
Suffering exponential growing pains
Fighting fixed ways of thinking
The bottom line
Finding What’s Right with Quantum Computing
Highlighting where quantum computing is better
Querying quantum’s status today
Looking for early access
Needing what quantum computing offers
Chapter 8 Getting Started with Quantum Computing
Identifying Five Classes of Solutions
Dancing to That Algorithm
Deciding Whether to Start Now
Getting Your Organization Involved
Putting together a project team
Involving an executive sponsor
Depending on algorithm experts
Setting goals
Considering Quantum-Inspired Solutions
Using CPUs and GPUs
Using special-purpose hardware
Including quantum-inspired solutions
Chapter 9 It’s All about the Stack
Analyzing the Stack
Examining how classical computers stack up
Comparing the stack for quantum computers
Qubits and control hardware
Error mitigation firmware
Error correction layer
Hardware-aware quantum compiler
Logic-level compiler and optimizer
Algorithm-driven applications
Cloud-based quantum service and software development kit
Considering the Annealing Alternative
Annealing in the medieval mode
Identifying the problem annealing solves
Moving on to quantum annealing
Identifying where quantum annealers succeed
Identifying where quantum annealers fail
Choosing a Type of Quantum Computer
Chapter 10 Racing for the Perfect Qubit
Identifying Three Levels of Qubit Achievement
Winning the Race for Focused Quantum Advantage
Visiting the Qubit Zoo
Deconstructing qubits
Defining quantum computing modalities
Mapping Out the Modalities Landscape
Figuring Out What’s Next
Chapter 11 Choosing a Qubit Type
Telling the Players Apart with a Scorecard
Trapped ion qubits
Superconducting qubits
Photonic qubits
The best of the rest
Choosing a Strategy for Quantum Computing
Taking advantage of the cloud
Sharing a quiet word about companies
Part 3 Getting Entangled with Quantum Computing
Chapter 12 Programming a Quantum Computer
Figuring Out What We Are Doing
Figuring Out How to Do It
Getting Down to the BASICs
Writing the Requirements for a Quantum Program
Components of a quantum programming environment
Components of a quantum program
Thinking Like a Developer
Tips for becoming an awesome software developer
Setting Up a Development Environment
Finding Where to Get Your Quantum On
Getting started with the Strangeworks Python SDK
Installation
Authentication
Let’s optimize something
Singing QAOA-ooooo
Getting started with QAOA
Breaking Down a Quantum Algorithm
Asking Where Do We Go Now?
Chapter 13 Quantum Computing Applications
Thinking in Triplicate
Cracking Cryptography with Quantum
Finding Waldo in a Sea of Striped Hats
Grabbing That Cash
Insuring That Quantum Makes Its Mark
Making the World Go Round with Logistics
Dreaming of Machines Learning
Searching for the New Oil in Quantum
Making Materialism Matter
Simulating Our Way to Better Health
Finding New Pharmaceuticals
Forecasting Future Fog
Chapter 14 Quantum Computing Algorithms
Mapping Quantum Computing Algorithms to Applications
Understanding the Basics of Quantum Algorithms
Mapping algorithms to use cases
Investing in research
Visiting the Quantum Zoo
Finding New Kinds of Time
Starting with the Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm
Making Shor Quantum Computing Will Be Big
Searching with Grover
Using the Quantum Phase Estimation Algorithm
Applying Simon’s Algorithm
Implementing the Quantum Fourier Transform (QFT) Algorithm
Stepping into Vaidman’s Quantum Zeno Effect
Getting Linear with the HHL Algorithm
Solving and Simulating with QAOA
Getting Grounded with VQE
Assessing Additional Algorithms
Identifying What’s Ahead
Chapter 15 Cloud Access Options
Exploring the Major Types of Options
Grouping public cloud providers
Examining quantum computer manufacturers
Looking at access providers
Noting the Importance of Amazon Braket
Counting on Azure Quantum
Investigating Google Quantum AI
Opening Quantum Computer Vendor’s Portals
Unlocking Quantum Potential with Strangeworks
Perusing a classical catalog of quantum technologies
Exploring compute providers
Understanding managed applications
Chapter 16 Educational Resources
Connecting with Online Classes
MIT Quantum Information Sciences
Quantum Cryptography
The Quantum Internet and Quantum Computers: How Will They Change the World?
Understanding Quantum Computers
Quantum Quest
Quantum Machine Learning
Quantum Computing: Less Formulas — More Understanding
Black Opal
Trying Tutorials and Documentation
Nielsen and Chuang
Documentation for Forest and pyQuil
Documentation for Ocean
Documentation for Xanadu’s Strawberry Fields
IBM Q Full User Guide
John Preskill’s Notes on Quantum Computation
Qiskit Tutorials
The Quantum Algorithm Zoo
Quantum Computing Playground
Quantum Katas
Quantum Machine Learning for Data Scientists
Skipping through Unstructured Study
Blogs
Algorithmic Assertions
Bits of Quantum
Decodoku
Musty Thoughts
Quantum Frontiers
Quantum Weekly
Shtetl Optimized
Papers
Opportunities and Challenges for Quantum Machine Learning
Quantum Machine Learning . . . and More
Making Quantum Computing Open: Lessons from Open-Source Projects
Getting into Interaction and Fun
Communities
Interactive Learning Tools
Quirk
Quantum Odyssey
Qubit Touchdown
Videos
Introduction to Quantum Programming
Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists
Part 4 The Part of Tens
Chapter 17 Ten Myths Surrounding Quantum Computing
Myth 1: Quantum Computing Won’t Be Commercially Available for 10–15 Years
Myth 2: A Qubit Can Be a 0 and a 1 at the Same Time
Myth 3: Quantum Computers Will Replace Classical Computers
Myth 4: Only a Physicist Can Program Quantum Computers
Myth 5: Quantum Computers Will Soon Solve All Classical Computer Problems
Myth 6: We Should All “Shut Up and Calculate”
Myth 7: Soon There Will Be Only a Small Number of Quantum Hardware Companies
Myth 8: Quantum Companies Have All the Talent They Need to Grow the Industry
Myth 9: Quantum Computing Will Destroy Data Encryption
Myth 10: Quantum-Safe Cryptography Provides Complete Data Security
Chapter 18 Ten Tech Questions Answered
Will Quantum Technology Find Its Way into a Consumer Product?
Is the Quantum Realm Real? Will Ant-Man Save Our World?
How Do You Explain Quantum Computing to a Dummy?
Where Is the Quantum Computing Field Going?
When Will Quantum Computing Become Commercially Practical?
What Is the Coolest Application of Quantum Computing?
Where Will Quantum Computing Be the Most Disruptive?
How Long Until Shor’s Algorithm Breaks RSA?
How Can You Use Quantum Computing in Manufacturing?
Where Is the Overlap Between Quantum Computing and AI/ML?
Chapter 19 Ten Business Questions Answered
How Can I Evaluate the Market for a New Company, Product, or Service?
How Do I Evaluate My Employer’s Need to Be an Early Adopter (or Not)?
What Roles and Jobs Are Needed in the Current Stage of Development?
What Background Is Needed to Learn Quantum Computer Coding?
What Advice Can You Give to First-Timers?
What University Programs Would You Recommend?
Who Is the Current Leading Developer of Quantum Computing?
What Should I Do if I Have an Idea for a Startup?
What Habits Have Helped You in Your Career?
What Are Your Biggest Lessons Learned?
Chapter 20 Ten University Research Programs
University of Oxford, UK
University of California, Berkeley
Stanford University
Cal Tech
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harvard University
University of Chicago
University of Maryland
University of Waterloo
University of New South Wales, Sydney
Index
EULA