David Deutsch
David Elieser Deutsch is a renowned British physicist known for his groundbreaking work in quantum computing. Born on May 18, 1953, in Haifa, Israel, Deutsch has made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics and is often referred to as the "father of quantum computing." He is a visiting professor in the Department of Atomic and Laser Physics at the Centre for Quantum Computation (CQC) within the Clarendon Laboratory at the University of Oxford.
Early Life and Education
Deutsch was born to a Jewish family, the son of Oskar and Tikva Deutsch. His early education took place in London, where he attended Geneva House School in Cricklewood and later, William Ellis School in Highgate. He pursued higher education in Natural Sciences at Clare College and undertook Part III of the Mathematical Tripos.
Contributions to Quantum Computing
In 1985, Deutsch published a seminal paper that laid the foundations for quantum algorithms. His work was further expanded in collaboration with Richard Jozsa in 1992, leading to the development of the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm. This algorithm is notable for being one of the first examples of a quantum algorithm that can solve problems exponentially faster than any classical algorithm.
Theoretical Work and Many-Worlds Interpretation
Deutsch is also a prominent advocate of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, which proposes that all possible alternate histories and futures are real, each representing an actual "world" or "universe". This interpretation was first introduced by Hugh Everett and has been further developed by several physicists, including John Archibald Wheeler and Deutsch himself.
Publications
Among Deutsch's notable works is "The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World," a popular science book published in 2011. In this book, Deutsch explores the nature of scientific explanation, the concept of infinite progress, and the role of creativity in human knowledge. He argues that the Enlightenment of the 18th century is a pivotal moment in human history, marking a transition to an era of unprecedented scientific and cultural achievement.