Paul Anthony Benioff[1] (May 1, 1930 – March 29, 2022) was an American physicist who helped pioneer the field of quantum computing.

In this work, Benioff showed that a computer could operate under the laws of quantum mechanics by describing a Schrödinger equation description of Turing machines.

He continued to conduct research at the laboratory as a post-retirement emeritus scientist for the Physics Division until his death in 2022, survived by his wife of 62 years, Hanna (née Hannelore Leshner) and their three children.

His early research culminated in a paper,[3] published in 1980, that described a quantum mechanical model of Turing machines.

[8] After Benioff and his peers in the field published several more papers on quantum computers, the idea began to gain traction with industry, banking, and government agencies.

While in the Chemistry Division, he conducted research on nuclear reaction theory, as well as the relationship between the foundations of physics and mathematics.

After joining Argonne's Environmental Impact Division in 1978, Benioff continued work on quantum computing and on foundational issues.

[9] The following year, he was awarded the Special University of Chicago Medal for Distinguished Performance at Argonne National Laboratory.