The Early Days of Quantum Computation

TL;DR

This paper recounts the early development of quantum computation, highlighting key discoveries such as factoring algorithms, error correcting codes, and fault tolerance, providing historical insights into the field.

Contribution

It offers a personal historical account of foundational discoveries in quantum computation, emphasizing the initial breakthroughs and their significance.

Findings

Discovery of quantum factoring algorithms

Development of quantum error correcting codes

Introduction of fault-tolerant quantum computation

Abstract

I recount some of my memories of the early development of quantum computation, including the discovery of the factoring algorithm, of error correcting codes, and of fault tolerance.