Quantum Computers

Mauro Pacelli

A review of the Quantum Computer Technology, with an introduction on the Quantum Mechanics properties that form the basis of the Quantum Computer Theory, Quantum Interference and Quantum Entanglement.

Both the Feynman’s Computer and the Deutsch’s Computer are presented together with a review of the expected benefits from the implementation of Quantum Computers, the most important being the very high level of parallelism achievable which can allow to compute in a reasonable time Non-Polynomial class of algorithms such as the Peter Shor’s algorithm for prime factorization.

The presentation reviews also the state of the art of the implementation techniques used in various Laboratories and the initial results achieved in the IBM’s Laboratories.

Error correction techniques for Quantum Computers are also reviewed as well as the challenges faced by the implementers.