Mikhail Dyakonov received his PhD (1966) in theoretical physics from the Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute in Saint Petersburg (Leningrad), USSR. He worked as a Principal Scientist at the Ioffe Institute until 1998, when he became a Professor at the University of Montpellier, France. His fields of interest include quantum effects in atomic physics, solid-state physics, spin physics, and the physics of 2D electrons. He is the recipient of the State Prize of the USSR, the Beller Lectureship Award from the American Physical Society, and the Félix Robin great prize of the French Physics Society.

His name is associated with several physical phenomena: the Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation mechanism, Dyakonov surface waves, and Dyakonov-Shur plasma wave instability. Together with V.I. Perel, in 1971 he predicted the Spin Hall Effect, which has since become a subject of great interest and intensive study. He is the editor of the book Spin Physics in Semiconductors, published by Springer in 2008 (1st edition) and 2017 (2nd edition).

Briefly presents the 25-year history of ideas and research in this area

Expresses and justifies serious doubts about the possibility of ever building a quantum computer

Is accessible to a broad readership of students, academics, and engineers, as well as the general public

Introduction.- Brief history of quantum computing, starting with the invention of Shor's algorithm (1994).- Introduction to quantum mechanics for pedestrians.- Electron spin as a qubit.- The main ideas and promises of quantum computing.- Current state of the art.