  Quantum information processing based on Rydberg atoms emerged as a promising
direction two decades ago. Recent experimental and theoretical progresses have
shined exciting light on this avenue. In this concise review, we will briefly
introduce the basics of Rydberg atoms and their recent applications in
associated areas of neutral atom quantum computation and simulation. We shall
also include related discussions on quantum optics with Rydberg atomic
ensembles, which are increasingly used to explore quantum computation and
quantum simulation with photons.
