We spend the last chapter using the learned quantum mechanical tool set to examine two current research topics that are extensions of some of the examples of quantum mechanics studied in the text. We examine quantum mechanical forces on atoms and quantum information processing, which both have important connections to Stern-Gerlach spin-1/2 experiments and to resonant atom-light interactions

We discuss the building blocks of a universal quantum computer within the circuit model of computation and how this is implemented using superconducting quantum circuits. In particular, we discuss, one by one, the creation of quantum registers, resetting of quantum bits, qubit measurements, single-qubit operations, and universal two-qubit gates, and how these are all implemented using the tools from earlier chapters. We discuss how to calibrate the errors in the qubits and in the operations, assigning them complete descriptions via positive maps. We explain how these errors can be corrected and how to implement a fault-tolerant quantum computer, focusing on the paradigm of stabilizer codes and the surface code in particular. We close with a discussion on the outlook for quantum computers in the near term and the NISQ paradigm of computation.

Presents the approaches to building a quantum computer, the different substrates being used to build a scalable quantum computer, the profound challenges in doing so, and finally, an outlook on how the scientific challenges and economic incentives will shape quantum computing projects.