When information obeys quantum rules

Charles H. Bennett

Charles Bennett helped establish quantum information science by treating physical laws as resources and constraints for information processing. At IBM, his research explored reversible computation, quantum communication, and the relationship between information and thermodynamics. With Gilles Brassard he developed the BB84 quantum key-distribution protocol. His broader collaborations also helped establish quantum teleportation and entanglement-based communication, making him a central figure in the foundations of quantum computing.

Gilles Brassard

Gilles Brassard helped connect theoretical computer science with quantum physics. With Charles Bennett he developed BB84, showing how quantum properties could support key distribution and reveal eavesdropping. His research also spans quantum algorithms, cryptography, and communication complexity. At the Université de Montréal, he helped build quantum information into a sustained research field, exploring how quantum resources change what can be computed, communicated, and securely shared.