Quantum computing: an introduction

Abstract

Summary form only given, as follows. Gives a system theoretic approach to the concept of quantum computing. A quantum computer is envisaged to be a system of quantum circuits, acting on a state space, which is a finite-say 2/sup n/-dimensional-complex Hilbert space. The circuitry is a sequence of unitary transforms U/sub t/ /spl epsiv/ SU(2/sup n/) followed by a measurement. These transforms, so-called quantum gates, are controlled by a classical computer, usually especially electromagnetic fields. The state space of a quantum computer has the structure of a Hermitian vector space. Thus it allows simultaneous superposition of orthogonal basis states (corresponding to classical states) with the possibility of constructive and destructive interference between different paths of computation. This principle allows the usage of so-called entangled states by preparing the superposition of special bent configurations of basis vectors in the product Hilbert space, e.g., as they are known from error control and cryptography. This latter entanglement not only promises to make a quantum computer much more powerful than a probabilistic one, but it also allows a method of parallelism. The reason for this lies not only in the fact that the 2/sup n/ dimensional Hilbert space is the n-fold tensor product of 2-dimensional spaces as it is given by spin-1/2-particles, like photons, representing a quantum bit. First of all, we shall address the fact that the power of quantum computing lies in the properties of entangled states as opposed to those of separable states which essentially would resemble classical circuits without giving the feature of exponential speed-up. We shall briefly describe possible physical realisations of quantum (optic, electronic, magnetic,...) devices allowing the engineering of Hamiltonians needed for quantum systems. Basic quantum gates, especially the quantum Horner-Toffoli gate will be discussed to display the principles and methodology for designing quantum circuits. An outlook towards the possible availability of nano- and mesoscopic technologies supporting this new architecture in future generations concludes based on a speculative worst/best case forecast of possible applications, e.g., in public key and conventional cryptography.