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Teaching fundamental design concepts and the challenges of emerging technology, this textbook prepares students for a career designing the computer systems of the future. Self-contained yet concise, the material can be taught in a single semester, making it perfect for use in senior undergraduate and graduate computer architecture courses. This edition has a more streamlined structure, with the reliability and other technology background sections now included in the appendix. New material includes a chapter on GPUs, providing a comprehensive overview of their microarchitectures; sections focusing on new memory technologies and memory interfaces, which are key to unlocking the potential of parallel computing systems; deeper coverage of memory hierarchies including DRAM architectures, compression in memory hierarchies and an up-to-date coverage of prefetching. Practical examples demonstrate concrete applications of definitions, while the simple models and codes used throughout ensure the material is accessible to a broad range of computer engineering/science students.
Important concepts from the diverse fields of physics, mathematics, engineering and computer science coalesce in this foundational text on the cutting-edge field of quantum information. Designed for undergraduate and graduate students with any STEM background, and written by a highly experienced author team, this textbook draws on quantum mechanics, number theory, computer science technologies, and more, to delve deeply into learning about qubits, the building blocks of quantum information, and how they are used in quantum computing and quantum algorithms. The pedagogical structure of the chapters features exercises after each section as well as focus boxes, giving students the benefit of additional background and applications without losing sight of the big picture. Recommended further reading and answers to select exercises further support learning. Written in approachable and conversational prose, this text offers a comprehensive treatment of the exciting field of quantum information while remaining accessible to students and researchers within all STEM disciplines.
Providing in-depth coverage, this book covers the fundamentals of computation and programming in C language. Essential concepts including operators and expressions, input and output statements, loop statements, arrays, pointers, functions, strings and preprocessors are described in a lucid manner. A unique approach - 'Learn by quiz' - features questions based on confidence-based learning methodology. It helps the reader to identify the right answer with adequate explanation and reasoning as to why the other options are incorrect. Computer programs and review questions are interspersed throughout the text. The book is appropriate for undergraduate students of engineering, computer science and information technology. It can be used for self-study and assists in the understanding of theoretical concepts and their applications.
The global race to build the world's first quantum computer has attracted enormous investment from government and industry, and it attracts a growing pool of talent. As with many cutting-edge technologies, the optimal implementation is not yet settled. This important textbook describes four of the most advanced platforms for quantum computing: nuclear magnetic resonance, quantum optics, trapped ions, and superconducting systems. The fundamental physical concepts underpinning the practical implementation of quantum computing are reviewed, followed by a balanced analysis of the strengths and weaknesses inherent to each type of hardware. The text includes more than 80 carefully designed exercises with worked solutions available to instructors, applied problems from key scenarios, and suggestions for further reading, facilitating a practical and expansive learning experience. Suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students in physics, engineering, and computer science, Building Quantum Computers is an invaluable resource for this emerging field.
This chapter delves into the application of trapped ions in electromagnetic fields for quantum computing, starting with the technique of confining ions using a linear Paul trap. It then examines the encoding of qubits within the ions’ electronic states. The interaction between an ion and a laser, pivotal for system operations, is analyzed next. This interaction underpins the initialization of ions via laser cooling and the execution of one- and two-qubit gates. The two-qubit gates also employ the ions’ motional states to extend beyond the traditional qubit space. The process also includes a method for measuring qubit states by detecting the photons released when ions are excited. The text identifies key sources of noise that can affect ion traps. It concludes with a summary and the advantages and challenges associated with trapped-ion quantum computing.
This chapter examines the use of photon ensembles for quantum computing. It opens with a primer on photons, normal modes, and both linear and nonlinear optics. The discussion then advances to the technologies employed in generating and detecting single photons, followed by methods of qubit encoding and initialization. Subsequently, the focus shifts to qubit control, detailing the execution of single-qubit gates using linear optical elements and the Knill–Laflamme–Milburn (KLM) protocol for two-qubit gates. While the textbook predominantly centers on the circuit model, alternative models of quantum computing – specifically, one-way quantum computing and continuous-variable quantum computing – and their optical implementations are introduced. Additionally, it outlines the primary sources of noise affecting these systems. The chapter wraps up with a reflection on the comparative benefits and limitations of optical quantum computing.
This chapter delves into superconducting qubits, starting with the essentials of superconductivity and circuit design. Central to this discussion is the Josephson junction, a key element in creating superconducting qubits. The text focuses on the transmon, the archetype in this field, while acknowledging other designs. Initialization of the transmon involves sophisticated dilution refrigerators, a process that is also examined. Additionally, the principles of circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) are introduced as the framework for qubit control and measurement. Attention is then given to noise sources and their effect on superconducting qubits, with insights that apply to various qubit systems. The chapter wraps up by highlighting the strengths and challenges of superconducting qubits for quantum computing.
Chapter 2 serves as a primer on quantum mechanics tailored for quantum computing. It reviews essential concepts such as quantum states, operators, superposition, entanglement, and the probabilistic nature of quantum measurements. This chapter focuses on two-level quantum systems (i.e. qubits). Mathematical formulations that are specific to quantum mechanics are introduced, such as Dirac (bra–ket) notation, the Bloch sphere, density matrices, and Kraus operators. This provides the reader with the necessary tools to understand quantum algorithms and the behaviour of quantum systems. The chapter concludes with a review of the quantum harmonic oscillator, a model to describe quantum systems that are complementary to qubits and used in some quantum computer implementations.
This chapter explores the origin, key components, and essential concepts of quantum computing. It begins by charting the series of discoveries by various scientists that crystallized into the idea of quantum computing. The text then examines how certain applications have driven the evolution of quantum computing from a theoretical concept to an international endeavour. Additionally, the text clarifies the distinctions between quantum and classical computers, highlighting the DiVincenzo criteria, which are the five criteria for quantum computing. It also introduces the circuit model as the foundational paradigm for quantum computation. Lastly, the chapter sheds light on the reasons for the belief that quantum computers are more powerful than classical ones (touching on quantum computational complexity) and physically realizable (touching on quantum error correction).
The third chapter examines the capabilities of liquid-state NMR systems for quantum computing. It begins by grounding the reader in the basics of spin dynamics and NMR spectroscopy, followed by a discussion on the encoding of qubits into the spin states of the nucleus of atoms inside molecules. The narrative progresses to describe the implementation of single-qubit gates via external magnetic fields, weaving in key concepts such as the rotating-wave approximation, the Rabi cycle, and pulse shaping. The technique for orchestrating two-qubit gates, leveraging the intrinsic couplings between the spins of nuclei of atoms within a molecule, is subsequently detailed. Additionally, the chapter explains the process of detecting qubits’ states through the collective nuclear magnetization of the NMR sample and outlines the steps for qubit initialization. Attention then shifts to the types of noise that affect NMR quantum computers, shedding light on decoherence and the critical T1 and T2 times. The chapter wraps up by providing a synopsis, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of liquid-state NMR for quantum applications, and a note on the role of entanglement in quantum computing.