Quantum Computing @ MIT: The Past, Present, and Future of the Second Revolution in Computing

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the history, theoretical basis, and different implementations of quantum computers. In Fall 2018, four MIT faculty -- Isaac Chuang, Dirk Englund, Aram Harrow, and William Oliver -- at the forefront of quantum computation and information research were interviewed. They provided personal perspectives on the development of the field, as well as insight to its near-term trajectory. There has been a lot of recent media hype surrounding quantum computation, so in this article we present an academic view of the matter, specifically highlighting progress being made at MIT.