Mathematician — Peter Williston Shor (New York 1959) is an American mathematician and computer scientist, professor at MIT, among the founders of quantum information theory. In 1994 he devised the algorithm that bears his name, capable of factoring large numbers into primes enormously faster than any classical method, exploiting the properties of a quantum computer. This result had a disruptive impact, because it potentially threatens the cryptographic systems currently used to protect digital communications. Shor also made fundamental contributions to quantum error correction, showing how to build reliable quantum computers despite noise. He is considered one of the pioneers of an entire field of research still in full expansion.
Fun fact
Shor’s algorithm turned quantum computing from a theoretical curiosity into a strategic goal, prompting governments and companies to invest in so-called ‘post-quantum cryptography’ to defend against future quantum computers.
Theories and contributions
- Shor’s algorithm — Quantum algorithm that factors integers in polynomial time, threatening RSA cryptography.
- Quantum error correction — First code for protecting quantum information from noise, essential for reliable quantum computers.
Present in chapters
Linked atoms
1 linked atom.