Quantum Computing Unveiled: A Concise Course with Topological Extensions

Aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate-level students, this textbook covers the core topics of quantum computing in a format designed for a single-semester course. It will be accessible to learners from a range of disciplines, with an understanding of linear algebra being the primary prerequisite. The textbook introduces central concepts such as quantum mechanics, the quantum circuit model, and quantum algorithms, and covers advanced subjects such as the surface code and topological quantum computation. These topics are essential for understanding the role of symmetries in error correction and the stability of quantum architectures, which situate quantum computation within the wider realm of theoretical physics. Graphical representations and exercises are included throughout the book and optional expanded materials are summarized within boxed 'Remarks'. Lecture notes have been made freely available for download from the textbook's webpage, with instructors having additional online access to selected exercise solutions.

Table of Contents:
Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Overview; 2. Classical Computation; 3. Crash Course on Quantum Mechanics; 4. Quantum Computation: The Circuit Model; 5. Quantum Computation: Algorithms; 6. Quantum Decoherence; 7. Quantum Error Correction; 8. Topological Orders and Surface Code; 9. Topological Quantum Computation; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author :
Yidun Wan is a tenured Full Professor of Physics at Fudan University. He has a diverse educational background, with degrees in computer science, economics, and physics. He gained his PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. His research interests include topological orders, quantum information and computation, cosmology, and quantum gravity. He has taught a broad range of courses, including General Relativity, Quantum Computation, Differential Geometry, Mathematical Methods in Physics, and Scientific English Writing.

Review :
'While there is no longer a shortage of textbooks on quantum computing, a fresh view from a different perspective is always welcome. This book offers such a new perspective. Starting from very basic concepts, it spans a wide range to topological concepts used in quantum error correction. Overall, it provides interesting and entertaining reading material for novices as well as advanced students.' Dieter Suter, TU Dortmund University, Germany 'This textbook reflects the author's unique and interdisciplinary background in both computer science and theoretical physics. It offers a broad and well-structured journey through topics ranging from classical Turing machines to topological quantum computing. What sets this book apart is its inclusion of distinctive and advanced topics such as weak measurement, topological order, and topological quantum computation – subjects rarely treated in comparable texts. These additions give the book a noteworthy place among the growing number of textbooks on quantum computing. I recommend this book to readers with a strong interest in quantum computing and a desire to contribute to its ongoing research.' Mikio Nakahara, previously at Kindai University, Japan 'Quantum computing is a rapidly advancing interdisciplinary frontier in science and technology.Professor Yidun Wan, with broad education history and research experience, taught a concise course in Fudan University, resulting in this much needed monograph. It is comprehensive, covering all important thoughts (named after the original inventors) and topics (the circuit model, algorithms, decoherence, and error correction, etc.). It is also self-contained, including chapters reviewing classical computers and quantum mechanics. The final two chapters are devoted to future topological extensions, with materials hard to find beyond journal papers. The presentation is precise, but enjoyable to read, suitable for students and practitioners.' Yong-shi Wu, University of Utah, USA 'Yidun Wan's textbook on Quantum Computing Unveiled is a delightful read. A folksy style of writing in places and an emphasis on keeping the exposition as simple as possible make a difficult topic accessible to a graduate student. The book starts with the basics, including basic but rigorous notions of classical computation and quantum mechanics and then extends to quantum computing including basics, algorithms, complexity and error correction. The exercises In the book provide the reader with tasks that reinforce the learning process. What makes this book especially appealing are the chapters on topological orders and topological quantum computation, which are important and challenging yet delivered in an accessible way by an expert in this field. This book is an excellent choice for learning valuable aspects of quantum computing.' Barry C. Sanders, University of Calgary, Canada