About
Quantum for Everyone was born out of a desire to make quantum education less intimidating and more accessible. With the support of our growing community, we continue to expand our resources for a broad audience.
Quantum math doesn’t need to be complicated.
Our approach uses intuitive visuals and basic math to help everyone – from curious learners to experienced educators to field experts – understand and demonstrate quantum concepts. We seek to reduce educational inequalities in quantum studies.
With just basic math skills, you’ll explore and understand quantum ideas in a fun and inclusive way.
Application
ZX-calculus is graphical math to reason about quantum processes. It is particularly powerful in quantum compilation-related situations. Uses for ZX-calculus continue to expand around the world.
ZX-calculus helps rewrite circuits, extremely useful in quantum circuit optimization.
ZX-calculus is a formidable toolbox for quantum error correction.
Explore ZX-calculus at the heart of Quantinuum’s TKET compiler and software development kit.
A Brief History of Quantum Picturalism
2008
ZX-Calculus
Bob Coecke and Ross Duncan introduced graphical math called ZX-calculus. It allowed visualizing quantum computations using diagrams, simplifying the mathematical complexity of quantum theory. This graphical language became foundational for representing quantum circuits and reasoning about quantum information theory and quantum computing. This intuitive visual approach made quantum concepts more accessible, and today, ZX-calculus is used worldwide.
2017
Picturing Quantum Processes
Aleks Kissinger and Bob Coecke released Picturing Quantum Processes: A First Course in Quantum Theory and Diagrammatic Reasoning, expanding on the ZX Calculus. This book presented a formalism for understanding quantum processes through diagrams, focusing on making quantum mechanics approachable for learners with a basic mathematical background. It established a new visual method for teaching quantum theory.
2022
Quantum in Pictures
Building on the concepts from Picturing Quantum Processes, Bob Coecke collaborated with Stefano Gogioso to create Quantum in Pictures. This book simplified quantum concepts using diagrams one could understand with minimal mathematical prerequisites. The idea was to introduce quantum mechanics in an accessible, visual-first manner, promoting inclusivity in quantum education.
2023
Oxford Educational Experiment
In 2023, an educational experiment at Oxford University tested the use of Quantum Picturalism with schoolchildren aged 15-17. Using the Quantum in Pictures framework, they taught quantum concepts using ZX Calculus – an entirely visual approach.
The experiment involved 54 students from UK state schools who spent two hours a week in online classes over 8 weeks. Remarkably, these teenagers outperformed Oxford University’s postgraduate physics students on exam scores. Over 80% of the participants passed the exam, nearly half achieving a distinction. This experiment demonstrated that even young learners without a background in complex mathematics could grasp and excel at quantum concepts when taught through diagrammatic reasoning.
2024
Picturing Quantum Software
In 2024, Picturing Quantum Software: An Introduction to the ZX-Calculus and Quantum Compilation, was co-authored by Aleks Kissinger and John van de Wetering. This book focuses on using ZX Calculus as a practical tool for quantum software and quantum compilation, further advancing the application of visual methods in quantum computing.
2024
Launch of Quantum for Everyone
As the reach of quantum education grew, Quantum in Pictures evolved into Quantum for Everyone. This initiative expanded upon the original mission by creating more comprehensive resources for teachers, students, and quantum enthusiasts.