Programming Quantum Computers: Theoretical background of algorithms in the book

[Michael Krimgen]

Dear authors,

Does the book also discuss the theoretical background of the presented algorithms?
For example proofs that the algorithms actual works (providing they are executed on a working quantum computer).

[E Johnston]

Michael Krimgen wrote:Does the book also discuss the theoretical background of the presented algorithms?
For example proofs that the algorithms actual works (providing they are executed on a working quantum computer).

Hi Michael,
While we do get into some very specific detail about how some key QPU operations do their job, (especially thanks to Nic for detail in the end of chapter 6: Amplitude Amplification, chapter 7: QFT, and chapter 8: Phase Estimation), we don't go through proofs or derivations.

For a thorough dive into that side of things, I strongly recommend Nielsen and Chuang's essential book Quantum Computation and Quantum Information. This is sort of the serious QC scientist's bible. It's extremely thorough, and many of my QC colleagues own at least two copies. It's not really written as a hands-on guide for programmers, though.

In chapter 14, there are tons of links for people who want to dig deeper into the background and theory, as well as seeing things like operator unitary matrices. Funny story: I was recently talking with an engineering professor in Thailand who was asking for more and more detail on the Hadamard gate in chapter 2. When I pointed out the matrix operator in chapter 14 he said "Why isn't chapter 14 right after chapter 1?" Hard to write a book for every audience. :]

[Michael Krimgen]

Hi Eric, Thanks for your detailed answer!

[E Johnston]

You bet!