Information Complexity and Control in Quantum Physics

Abstract

This book accompanies CS 83A, the first of a three quarter quantum computing sequence offered to sophomores during their second or third years at Foothill Community College in Los Altos Hills, California. This first course focuses on quantum computing basics under the assumption that we have noise-free quantum components with which to build our circuits. The subsequent courses deal with advanced algorithms and quantum computing in the presence of noise, specifically, error correction and quantum encryption.\rThis is not a survey course; it skips many interesting aspects of quantum computing. On the other hand, it is in-depth. The focus is on doing. My hope is that some of you will apply the “hard” skills you learn here to discover quantum algorithms of your own. However, even if this is the only course you take on the subject, the computational tools you learn will be applicable far beyond the confines of quantum information theory.