This paper provides a short introduction to the mathematical foundation of quantum computation for researchers in computer science by providing an introduction fo the mathematical basis of calculations. This paper concerns the mathematical foundations of quantum computation addressing first the representation of qubit using the Bloch sphere and second the special relations between SU(2) and SO(3). The properties of SU(2) are introduced focusing especially about the double-covering of SO(3) and explaining how to map rotations of SO(3) into matrices of SU(2). Quantum physic operators are based on SU(2) since we have a direct relationship to SO(3) namely one isomorphism. We start first from basic representations of qubit in R^3 and representations of operators in SU(2) and we next discuss with operators that permit to move from one SU(2) to another one according to a specific operator of SU(2) that is related to rotation into R^3.
This paper provides a short introduction to the mathematical foundation of quantum computation for researchers in computer science by providing an introduction fo the mathematical basis of calculations. This paper concerns the mathematical foundations of quantum computation addressing first the representation of qubit using the Bloch sphere and second the special relations between SU(2) and SO(3). The properties of SU(2) are introduced focusing especially about the double-covering of SO(3) and explaining how to map rotations of SO(3) into matrices of SU(2). Quantum physic operators are based on SU(2) since we have a direct relationship to SO(3) namely one isomorphism. We start first from basic representations of qubit in R^3 and representations of operators in SU(2) and we next discuss with operators that permit to move from one SU(2) to another one according to a specific operator of SU(2) that is related to rotation into R^3.
We present an introduction to the mathematics of quantum physics and quantum computation which put emphasis on the basic mathematical aspects of definition and operations on qubits. We start by a comprehensive introduction of a qubit as a unit element of C2, and its representations on spheres in R3. This introduction leads to the interpretation of Pauli operators as basic rotations in R3. Then we study unitary operators. Their link to rotations in R3 is established using the density operator associated to a qubit. We complete this paper by some decomposition, or splitting, problems of unitary operators on C2 based on decomposition results of rotations in R3. These decomposition results are useful for the construction of quantum gates.
Quantum computing leverages fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations far exceeding classical architectures. At the core of single-qubit quantum state manipulation is the Bloch sphere, a geometric representation mapping the state space of two-level quantum systems onto a three-dimensional unit sphere. This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical framework of qubits, starting from single-qubit geometric state vectors and expanding to rigorous multi-qubit mathematical formulations. Furthermore, it analyzes single-qubit quantum gates as unitary rotations on the Bloch sphere, evaluates multi-qubit system scaling, and explicitly proves state normalization conditions using Born's rule across multi-dimensional Hilbert spaces.
Quantum computing uses a mathematical language that can seem unfamiliar to readers from programming, engineering and other technical backgrounds. Qubits are represented by vectors, quantum gates by matrices, measurement outcomes by eigenvalues, and probability amplitudes by complex numbers. Quantum Computing Preliminaries develops this language carefully, connecting each mathematical idea with its computational and physical meaning. The book begins with complex vector spaces and explains why quantum states require more than classical probabilities. It introduces qubits, superposition, normalisation, basis vectors and Dirac bra–ket notation, supported by worked calculations and geometric interpretation using the Bloch sphere. The discussion then turns to inner products and the geometry of quantum states. Readers learn how to calculate norms, test orthogonality, determine state overlap and apply the Born rule. Particular attention is given to complex conjugation and the distinction between the ordinary dot product and the Hermitian inner product used in quantum mechanics.The treatment of matrix operators establishes the roles of linear, unitary and Hermitian operators. It explains matrix multiplication, non-commutativity, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, reversibility and norm preservation. The Pauli and Hadamard gates provide concrete examples that link matrix algebra to rotations, the Bloch sphere, quantum-state evolution, and measurement. Outer products and projection operators are developed as tools for constructing operators, selecting state components and describing ideal projective measurements. The book examines idempotence, completeness, repeated measurement and the distinction between the ket–bra outer product and the tensor product used to form composite quantum systems. The final chapter explores changes of basis, operator representations and diagonalisation. It shows how the same physical state or operation can have different numerical representations in the computational and Hadamard bases. Readers derive the similarity transformation, use outer-product substitution, diagonalise Hermitian operators and interpret the spectral decomposition geometrically. Examples involving the Pauli-X, Pauli-Y, Pauli-Z and Hadamard operators demonstrate how basis choice exposes phase, population and measurement structure without changing the underlying physics. Throughout the book, Python and NumPy examples translate the mathematics into executable calculations. The programs demonstrate complex-vector operations, inner products, eigendecomposition, basis transformation and numerical verification while explaining the importance of using operations suited to complex Hilbert spaces. Each chapter includes conceptual, mathematical, computational and challenge exercises. Detailed solutions provide step-by-step derivations, program output and physical interpretation, allowing the book to support both guided study and independent practice. Quantum Computing Preliminaries is intended for students, software developers, engineers and technically minded readers preparing to study quantum circuits, algorithms, simulation, measurement, entanglement or error correction. It assumes familiarity with elementary algebra and programming but does not require prior training in quantum mechanics. Its purpose is to provide a clear mathematical foundation for understanding how quantum information is represented, transformed and measured.
This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the foundational principles of quantum computation. It begins by contrasting classical and quantum information, highlighting how quantum bits (qubits) leverage superposition, entanglement, and interference to process information in ways that surpass classical limits. The document explains the four postulates of quantum mechanics: state space (qubits as unit vectors in a Hilbert space), time evolution (via unitary operators), measurement (probabilistic collapse of the state), and composite systems (tensor products of subsystems). Key concepts such as the Bloch sphere representation, quantum gates (e.g., Hadamard, CNOT, Pauli gates), and quantum circuits are discussed, illustrating how quantum operations manipulate qubit states. The presentation also covers quantum evolution, the gate model for computation, and the universality of certain gate sets, emphasizing the potential for quantum parallelism and the transformative impact of quantum computing on fields like cryptography and optimization.
Quantum Computing Frontiers is a comprehensive academic and professional resource that presents a systematic exploration of quantum computing, quantum information, and emerging quantum technologies. The book begins with the foundations of classical computation and the physical motivation for quantum computing, progressing through quantum states, qubits, superposition, probability amplitudes, interference, measurement, and the mathematical foundations of quantum information. It provides detailed coverage of Hilbert spaces, linear operators, tensor products, density operators, unitary transformations, quantum mechanics postulates, Schrödinger dynamics, quantum noise, decoherence, and measurement processes. The text further examines qubit geometry, Bloch-sphere representation, multi-qubit systems, quantum measurements, state preparation, no-cloning, no-signaling, and quantum randomness, followed by an extensive treatment of quantum entanglement, Bell states, the EPR paradox, Bell and CHSH inequalities, quantum nonlocality, entanglement measures, and experimental perspectives. Applications of quantum technologies in computation, communication, cryptography, simulation, artificial intelligence, optimization, quantum error correction, distributed computing, quantum networks, quantum sensing, and metrology are also explored, providing readers with a broad understanding of current and emerging directions in the field. Designed for students, educators, researchers, engineers, and technology professionals, the book combines mathematical foundations, conceptual explanations, algorithms, illustrations, and practical perspectives to support learning, research, and innovation in quantum information science and next-generation computing technologies.
Quantum Computing is a new and exciting field at the intersection of mathematics, computer science and physics. It concerns a utilization of quantum mechanics to improve the efficiency of computation. Here we present a gentle introduction to some of the ideas in quantum computing. The paper begins by motivating the central ideas of quantum mechanics and quantum computation with simple toy models. From there we move on to a formal presentation of the small fraction of (finite dimensional) quantum mechanics that we will need for basic quantum computation. Central notions of quantum architecture (qubits and quantum gates) are described. The paper ends with a presentation of one of the simplest quantum algorithms: Deutsch's algorithm. Our presentation demands neither advanced mathematics nor advanced physics.