In the rapidly growing area of quantum information, the Deutsch algorithm is ubiquitous and, in most cases, the first one to be introduced to any student of this relatively new field of research. The reason for this historical relevance stems from the fact that, although extremely simple, the algorithm conveys all the main features of more complex quantum computations. In spite of its simplicity, the uncountable experimental realizations of the algorithm in a broad variety of physical systems are in general quite involved. The aim of this work is two-fold: to introduce the basic concepts of quantum computation for readers with just a minimum knowledge of quantum mechanics and to present a novel and entirely accessible implementation of a classical analogue of the quantum Deutsch algorithm. By employing only elementary optical devices, such as lenses and diode lasers, this experimental realization has a striking advantage over all previous implementations: it can easily be understood and reproduced in most basic undergraduate or even high-level school laboratories. (C) 2018 American Association of Physics Teachers.
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