Quantum Computation and Quantum Information
Quantum Computation and Quantum Information is a textbook about quantum information science written by Michael Nielsen and Isaac Chuang, regarded as a standard text on the subject.[ 1] It is informally known as "Mike and Ike", after the candies of that name.[ 2] The book assumes minimal prior experience with quantum mechanics and with computer science, aiming instead to be a self-contained introduction to the relevant features of both. (Lov Grover recalls a postdoc disparaging it with the remark, "The book is too elementary – it starts off with the assumption that the reader does not even know quantum mechanics."[ 3] ) The focus of the text is on theory, rather than the experimental implementations of quantum computers, which are discussed more briefly.[ 4]
As of January 2020[update], the book has been cited over 39,000 times on Google Scholar.[ 5] In 2019, Nielsen adapted parts of the book for his Quantum Country project.[ 6]
