Quantum random walks: an introductory overview

This article aims to provide an introductory survey oil quantum random walks. Starting from a physical effect to illustrate the main ideas it a will introduce quantum random walks, review some of their properties and outline their striking differences to classical walks. We trill touch upon both physical effects and computer science applications, introducing some of the main concepts and language of present day quantum information science in this context. We gill mention recent developments in this new area and outline sortie open questions.