BKAPQUCM.RVW   20070304

"Approaching Quantum Computing", Dan C. Marinescu/Gabriela M.
Marinescu, 2005, 0-13-145224-X
%A   Dan C. Marinescu
%A   Gabriela M. Marinescu
%C   One Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ   07458
%D   2005
%G   0-13-145224-X
%I   Prentice Hall
%O   800-576-3800 201-236-7139 fax: 201-236-7131
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/013145224X/robsladesinterne
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/013145224X/robsladesinte-21
%O   http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/013145224X/robsladesin03-20
%O   Audience a+ Tech 2 Writing 2 (see revfaq.htm for explanation)
%P   386 p.
%T   "Approaching Quantum Computing"

Chapter one introduces some of the basic concepts in quantum
computation, using some of the physics behind both computing and
quantum mechanics, and illustrating these ideas using experiments with
photons.  The basic mathematics behind quantum mechanics is outlined
in chapter two.  The second half of the chapter explains the
experimental evidence for the dual particle/wave nature of photons
leading to the requirements for theories of quantum physics, and the
historical development of quantum theories in the first half of the
twentieth century.  Qubits are the data representation and processing
units of quantum computer systems.  Chapter three reviews the required
characteristics for qubits, and notes a couple of physical entities
that can be used for this purpose.  Gates and circuits that can be
created with quantum technologies are outlined in chapter four. 
Chapter five notes the possibility of a quantum Turing machine which
may be more powerful than classical Turing machines.  The material
also examines various algorithms proposed for use with quantum
computers.  However, the possible limitations of quantum computing are
noted: most quantum algorithms require dedicated (rather than general
purpose) circuits, and quantum computing algorithms may be limited to
a very select class of problems (a great many of the suggested
algorithms are based on quantum Fourier transforms).  Most of chapter
six details historical examinations of quantum physics.  The tidbits
are fascinating, and have some bearing on quantum computing and
communications, but are poorly related to the other content of the
book.

While an academic textbook, with a heavy emphasis on abstruse
mathematics, this work could be heartily recommended to a great many
people who *think* they know something about quantum computing.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2007   BKAPQUCM.RVW   20070304