Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Guide to reading this textbook; 3. Processes as diagrams; 4. String diagrams; 5. Hilbert space from diagrams; 6. Quantum processes; 7. Quantum measurement; 8. Picturing classical-quantum processes; 9. Picturing phases and complementarity; 10. Quantum theory: the full picture; 11. Quantum foundations; 12. Quantum computation; 13. Quantum resources; 14. Quantomatic; Appendix A. Some notations; References; Index.

Promotional Information

In this book, quantum phenomena are explained through the language of diagrams, setting out an innovative method of presenting complex scientific theories.

About the Author

Bob Coecke is Professor of Quantum Foundations, Logic and Structures at the University of Oxford, where he also heads the multi-disciplinary Quantum Group. His pioneering research stretches from categorical quantum mechanics to the compositional structure of natural language meaning, and recent interests include causality and cognitive architecture. Aleks Kissinger is an Assistant Professor of Quantum Structures and Logic at Radboud University. His research focuses on diagrammatic language, rewrite theory, category theory, and applications to quantum computation and the foundations of physics.

Reviews

'Picturing Quantum Processes is a lively and refreshing romp through the authors diagrammatic and categorical approach to quantum processes. I recommend this book with no lower age limit required!' Louis Kauffman, University of Illinois

'This book develops from scratch the category theoretic, and diagrammatic, language for quantum theory, especially quantum processes. It is a remarkable achievement: vigorous, crystal-clear, complete - and a delight to read.' Jeremy Butterfield, University of Cambridge

'The book employs a unique formalism developed by the authors, which allows a more intuitive understanding of quantum features and eliminates complex calculations. As a result, knowledge of advanced mathematics is not required. … An informal and entertaining style is adopted, which makes this book easily approachable by students at their first encounter with quantum theory. That said, it will probably appeal more to Ph.D. students and researchers who are already familiar with the subject and are interested in looking at different treatment of this matter. The text is also accompanied by a rich set of exercises.' CERN Courier