Schrodinger's Killer App

The race is on to construct the first quantum code breaker as the winner will hold the key to the entire Internet. From international multibillion-dollar financial transactions to top-secret government communications all would be vulnerable to the secret-code-breaking ability of the quantum computer. Written by a renowned quantum physicist closely involved in the U. S. governmentâs development of quantum information science SchrÃdingerâs Killer App: Race to Build the Worldâs First Quantum Computer presents an inside look at the governmentâs quest to build a quantum computer capable of solving complex mathematical problems and hacking the public-key encryption codes used to secure the Internet. The killer application refers to Shorâs quantum factoring algorithm which would unveil the encrypted communications of the entire Internet if a quantum computer could be built to run the algorithm. SchrÃdingerâs notion of quantum entanglementâand his infamous catâis at the heart of it all. The book develops the concept of entanglement in the historical context of Einsteinâs 30-year battle with the physics community over the true meaning of quantum theory. It discusses the remedy to the threat posed by the quantum code breaker: quantum cryptography which is unbreakable even by the quantum computer. The author also covers applications to other important areas such as quantum physics simulators synchronized clocks quantum search engines quantum sensors and imaging devices. In addition he takes readers on a philosophical journey that considers the future ramifications of quantum technologies. Interspersed with amusing and personal anecdotes this book presents quantum computing and the closely connected foundations of quantum mechanics in an engaging manner accessible to non-specialists. Requiring no formal training in physics or advanced mathematics it explains difficult topics including quantum entanglement SchrÃdingerâs cat Bellâs inequality and quantum computational complexity using simple analogies. . Language: English