Physics and Computation

Explore the computational possibilities unleashed by modern physics.

Armond Duwell (Author)

9781009108553, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 September 2021

75 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 0.6 cm, 0.136 kg

This Element has three main aims. First, it aims to help the reader understand the concept of computation that Turing developed, his corresponding results, and what those results indicate about the limits of computational possibility. Second, it aims to bring the reader up to speed on analyses of computation in physical systems which provide the most general characterizations of what it takes for a physical system to be a computational system. Third, it aims to introduce the reader to some different kinds of quantum computers, describe quantum speedup, and present some explanation sketches of quantum speedup. If successful, this Element will equip the reader with a basic knowledge necessary for pursuing these topics in more detail.

1. Introduction
2. Turing's 1936 Paper
3. The Church-Turing Thesis and the Physical Church-Turing Thesis
4. Accounts of Computational Implementation
5. Quantum Computers
6. Quantum Speedup
References.

Subject Areas: Computer science [UY], Physics [PH], Philosophy of science [PDA], Philosophy [HP]