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Scientist

Peter Shor

1959 – present · quantum computing, algorithm theory, quantum information
American mathematician and quantum computing specialist. In 1994, he proposed the famous Shor's algorithm for factoring integers on a quantum computer in polynomial time, which demonstrated a practical threat to classical cryptography and spurred the development of quantum technologies.

Biography

Received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Caltech and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Works at MIT, where he is a professor of applied mathematics. Winner of the Gödel Prize, the Dirac Medal, and the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

Key discoveries

💡 Shor enjoys juggling and sometimes performs at scientific conferences, demonstrating connections between mathematics and circus arts.
"He argued that quantum computers use fundamentally different resources than classical ones, and this gives them incredible power."
Concepts
quantum error correctionquantum opticssuperposition
Laws
superposition principle
Scientists
Charles TownesAlain AspectDavid DeutschLouis de BroglieShuji NakamuraAlbert A. MichelsonSerge HarocheJohn Clauser

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