Jump to content

Researching Quantum Computing?


JackHelkaa

Recommended Posts

So I am 13 years old and recently discovered Quantum Computing and I think it's the coolest thing ever. But it's really tough to find a good place to start or ease my way into it. I think I could learn and understand it if i could find a place to start. I've heard Classical Physics are what you should learn first but would love to hear your opinions. Thanks in advanced!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quantum computation and computing is a difficult thing to jump straight into and there is no way you can get a strong academic knowledge of the area without many years background work. However you can get a passable working knowledge by taking much of the physics "on trust" - ie here is a Hadamard gate which ttransforms thus

 

[latex]H = \frac{|0\rangle+|1\rangle}{\sqrt{2}}\langle 0|+\frac{|0\rangle-|1\rangle}{\sqrt{2}}\langle 1 |[/latex]

 

you don't need to have any idea of the process which in the physical world which might perform that or even the strangeness of some of the computations - you just learn with a large set of given axiomata

 

The maths (esp. linear algebra and complex numbers) is pretty essential as is learning dirac notation - but not too difficult. The Berkeley Quantum Information and Computation Centre has lots of learning aids - but I know that stuff would have been beyond me at 13 . You could also try searching for videos by Umesh Vazarani who runs the centre and does lots of outreach stuff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I probably should have started learning linear algebra before diving head first into equations I have no chance of understanding. I'll probably learn it through Khan Academy. After messing around with IBMs 5 qubit quantum computer for a bit and reading wikipedia articles, I think i have a fairly decent understanding of most of the quantum phenomena used, I just need to learn what the equations mean and what I can do with those from there (also get a more in depth understanding of the quantum phenomena).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Khan Academy is pretty good for both linear algebra and complex numbers - this is pretty much essential.

 

For non-technical stuff (although still pretty technical) this is my favourite blog http://www.scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=208 This quoted page is Scott's explanation of the Shor Algorithm with very limited maths. You could also check out some of Dr Chinese's explanations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I second Scott's explanation of Shor's algorithm. I was in high glee when I ran across that - it's fantastic. One of the comments provides an alternative way of viewing the quantum Fourier transform - I won't comment on its rigorous correctness but it surely felt like a nice visual aid to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.