Quantum Computing The Transformative Technology of the Qubit Revolution

We look at another recent new book about Quantum computing, by Brian Clegg, who is a popular science writer whose Dice World and A Brief History of Infinity were both long listed for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. He has written for publications including Nature, The Times and BBC Focus. Quantum Computing The Transformative Technology of the Qubit Revolution by Brian Clegg 25 May 2021, ISBN 9781785787089, Paperback Original, £8.99

Quantum Computing The Transformative Technology of the Qubit Revolution

This book goes backwards before it goes forwards. Delivering a solid introduction to the key concepts of ‘how did we get here’ and what brought us to the point of even talking about quantum computing. This section is an enjoyable an informative read, and always useful when you start to feel that you are discussing key terms without an actual grounding in what they mean or entail.

This measured approach also works well in terms of slightly managing the hype too. As Clegg outlines, there are algorithms to potentially do quantum computing, but we do not have the hardware yet to actually be able to do it. It may be coming very soon, and it might also be five to twenty years away too. The process of AI, and it’s period of an ‘AI winter’ is a relevant and informative analogy.

It is cool to think about this stuff, necessary and useful too, as we try to plan how to work with it. But at the same time, as well as being exciting, it is also highly complex and tricky to achieve. Or rather, until we achieve a few more break throughs associated with understanding and working with the laws of physics, quantum computing is close but possibly not yet usable in a wide range of use cases.

These caveats mean this is an informative book to read, and a good starting point for those looking to understand what is coming down the line. Check it out.

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Latest addition to Icon Books’ Hot Science series

Computer technology has improved exponentially over the last 50 years. But the headroom for bigger and better electronic solutions is running out. Our best hope is to engage the power of quantum physics.

‘Quantum algorithms’ had already been written long before hardware was built. These would enable, for example, a quantum computer to exponentially speed up an information search, or to crack the mathematical trick behind internet security. However, making a quantum computer is incredibly difficult.

Despite hundreds of laboratories around the world working on quantumcomputers, we are only just seeing them come close to ‘supremacy’ where they can outperform a traditional computer.

In this approachable introduction, Brian Clegg explains algorithms and their quantum counterparts, explores the physical building blocks and quantumweirdness necessary to make a quantum computer, and uncovers the capabilities of the current generation of machines.

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