An Introduction to Quantum Computing, without the Physics

This paper is a gentle but rigorous introduction to quantum computing intended for discrete mathematicians. Starting from a small set of assumptions on the behavior of quantum computing devices, we analyze their main characteristics, stressing the differences with classical computers, and finally describe two well-known algorithms (Simon's algorithm and Grover's algorithm) using the formalism developed in previous sections. This paper does not touch on the physics of the devices, and therefore does not require any notion of quantum mechanics. Numerical examples based on an implementation of Grover's algorithm using open-source software are provided.

# Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture # Computer Science # Quantum Information and Cryptography # Quantum Mechanics and Applications # Physics and Astronomy

Giacomo Nannicini (2020). "An Introduction to Quantum Computing, without the Physics". SIAM Review. https://doi.org/10.1137/18m1170650