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Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

#11

Post by jlokier »

sushshshsh wrote: post #7

As a side track, how far away are we from "quantum cloud services" that I can pass arguments to and receive output from in exchange for a monthly or per-resource-used fee? What types of problems are quantum computers anticipated to solve? I've only heard about how they are able to break certain cryptographical algorithms that were designed long before quantum was even a thought.

> I've only heard about how they are able to break certain cryptographical algorithms that were designed long before quantum was even a thought.

Just thought I'd mention, quantum computer design started in the early 1980s, and many of the theoretical results came through quite a while ago.

What's happening now is the investment and funding landscape has changed considerably.

Re: Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

#14

Post by sriram_malhar »

I really really loved Nielsen and Matushak's Quantum country.

https://quantum.country

There are two reasons I like it.

There is no mumbo jumbo about polarising filters and "look how mysterious" it is. No. They concentrate on very simple linear algebra and work with it.

Second, they make a convincing argument that when you memorise a bit of material, it makes it intuitive. So they incorporate spaced repetition to continually test you (by email) so that the material gets into your long-term memory.

Re: Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

#16

Post by cameronperot »

I would suggest starting from the basics of quantum physics if you don't already have a solid foundation. MIT has several excellent courses on the subject [1-4]. The first two are the same course, but taught by different professors with slightly different curriculum.

[1] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-04-quantum-physics-i-s...

[2] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-04-quantum-physics-i-s...

[3] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-05-quantum-physics-ii-...

[4] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-06-quantum-physics-iii...

Re: Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

#17

Post by 214610 »

sriram_malhar wrote: post #14

I really really loved Nielsen and Matushak's Quantum country. https://quantum.country There are two reasons I like it. There is no mumbo jumbo about polarising filters and "look how mysterious" it is. No. They concentrate on very simple linear algebra and work with it. Second, they make a convincing argument that when you memorise a bit of material, it makes it intuitive. So they incorporate spaced repetition to cont…

It's a good source if you know linear algebra. Beginners should know that there are no solutions to check your work.

Re: Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

#18

Post by richardkmichael »

sushshshsh wrote: post #7

As a side track, how far away are we from "quantum cloud services" that I can pass arguments to and receive output from in exchange for a monthly or per-resource-used fee? What types of problems are quantum computers anticipated to solve? I've only heard about how they are able to break certain cryptographical algorithms that were designed long before quantum was even a thought.

You can do this today with DWave, Rigetti and Xanadu. I've used D-Wave myself, signing up for their LEAP platform is inexpensive (possibly free for a small amount of use, I'm not sure about their current offering).

There are different implementations of "quantum computing" which are appropriate for different types of problems. Google and Wikipedia will teach you about them, for example quantum annealing vs. universal quantum computing.

Re: Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

#19

Post by bollu »

cameronperot wrote: post #16

I would suggest starting from the basics of quantum physics if you don't already have a solid foundation. MIT has several excellent courses on the subject [1-4]. The first two are the same course, but taught by different professors with slightly different curriculum. [1] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-04-quantum-physics-i-s... [2] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-04-quantum-physics-i-s... [3] https://ocw.…

I disagree. One does not need to know quantum physicr to learn quantum computation, as scott aaronson argues in "quantum computing since democritus". I personally feel I actually understood more quantum physics by playing around with quantum algorithms

Re: Ask HN: Resources to start learning about quantum computing?

#20

Post by jeffreyrogers »

cameronperot wrote: post #16

I would suggest starting from the basics of quantum physics if you don't already have a solid foundation. MIT has several excellent courses on the subject [1-4]. The first two are the same course, but taught by different professors with slightly different curriculum. [1] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-04-quantum-physics-i-s... [2] https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-04-quantum-physics-i-s... [3] https://ocw.…

You will also need a pretty good understanding of calculus and linear algebra to understand QM, which many CS people don't have. You could probably learn both at the same time, but it would be challenging. The unfortunate thing about physics is you need to have pretty strong math skills to understand things, and most people's mathematical preparation is not very good.
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