QUANTUM COMPUTING Quantum computing: an introduction

The basic ideas of quantum computation are introduced by a brief discussion of Bennett and Fredkinʹs ideas of reversible computation. After some remarks about Deutschʹs pioneering work on quantum complexity and Shorʹs factorisation algorithm, quantum logic gates, qubits and registers are discussed. The role of quantum entanglement is stressed and Groverʹs quantum search algorithm described in detail. The paper ends with a review of the current experimental status of quantum computers.