Building Quantum Computers: A Practical Introduction

Building Quantum Computers: A Practical Introduction provides a practical and physics-oriented introduction to the hardware technologies used to implement quantum computers. Rather than focusing primarily on quantum algorithms and abstract circuit models, the book examines how physical quantum systems can be engineered to realize, control, and measure qubits. It begins with an introduction to quantum computing and a review of the relevant principles of quantum mechanics, establishing the foundation for understanding different hardware implementations. The book explores four major approaches to quantum computing hardware: nuclear magnetic resonance, quantum optics, trapped ions, and superconducting circuits. For each platform, it discusses the physical realization of qubits, state initialization, single- and two-qubit gates, control techniques, measurement, and sources of noise. By examining these technologies through a shared conceptual framework, the authors provide a comparative understanding of their operating principles, advantages, and limitations. The final chapter addresses quantum computer benchmarking, introducing methods for evaluating the performance of quantum hardware at different stages of development. With more than 80 exercises, applied problems, and further-reading suggestions, the book offers a valuable educational resource for senior undergraduate and graduate students in physics, engineering, and computer science, as well as researchers interested in quantum hardware and experimental quantum information science.