A Guide for the Reader -- Qubits, Cbits, Decoherence, Quantum Measurement and Environment -- to Quantum Computation -- Environment-Induced Decoherence and the Transition from Quantum to Classical -- Quantum Information Science Using Photons -- Quantum Information: Entanglement, Purification, Error Correction, and Quantum Optical Implementations -- Spintronics, Quantum Computing, and Quantum Communication in Quantum Dots.

Quantum information science is a rapidly developing field that not only promises a revolution in computer sciences but also touches deeply the very foundations of quantum physics. This book consists of a set of lectures by leading experts in the field that bridges the gap between standard textbook material and the research literature, thus providing the ne- cessary background for postgraduate students and non-specialist researchers wishing to familiarize themselves with the subject thoroughly and at a high level. This volume is ideally suited as a course book for postgraduate students, and lecturers will find in it a large choice of material for bringing their courses up-to-date.