Table of Contents

Part I. Quantum Optics and Quantum Information: 1. The quantum theory of light; 2. Quantum information processing; 3. Figures of merit; Part II. Quantum Information in Photons and Atoms: 4. Photon sources and detectors; 5. Quantum communication with single photons; 6. Quantum computation with single photons; 7. Atomic quantum information carriers; Part III. Quantum Information in Many-Body Systems: 8. Quantum communication with continuous variables; 9. Quantum computation with continuous variables; 10. Atomic ensembles in quantum information processing; 11. Solid state quantum information carriers; 12. Decoherence of solid state qubits; 13. Quantum metrology; Appendices; References; Index.

Promotional Information

Textbook for graduate students describing techniques likely to be used in implementing optical quantum information processors.

About the Author

Pieter Kok is a Lecturer in Theoretical Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the University of Sheffield. He is a member of the Institute of Physics and the American Physical Society, and his Ph.D. thesis won the Institute of Physics Quantum Electronics and Photonics thesis award in 2001. Brendon Lovett is a Royal Society University Research Fellow in the Department of Materials, the University of Oxford. He has been a visiting Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia and is an academic visitor at the National University of Singapore.

Reviews

'The discussion of cluster state protocols and conditional optical gates is the clearest I have seen. The text includes embedded exercises for the reader, carefully constructed to illustrate important principles. … The authors make every effort to connect the abstract theory with current experimental practice. … As optics will necessarily form a part of future quantum information processing networks, this book is required reading for anyone wishing to stay abreast of the ongoing effort to make quantum computing a reality.' Gerard J. Milburn, Centre for Quantum Computer Technology, the University of Queensland

'I have certainly enjoyed browsing through the book by Kok and Lovett. … I have no doubts that this first comprehensive and well written account of quantum information processing with optical systems will be very much welcomed and appreciated by students and experts alike. … an excellent overview of the basic insights and techniques … done in a manner that conveys the intellectual excitement and beauty of the subject.' Artur Ekert, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford and National University of Singapore

'… good selection of topics … content is well organised … The presentation of the book is perfect … It [is] hard not to notice the care the authors [have] given to the diagrams and plots, a rare quality of books these days.' Contemporary Physics