  Quantum computing exploits the quantum-mechanical nature of matter to exist
in multiple possible states simultaneously. This new approach promises to
revolutionize the present form of computing. As an approach to quantum
computing, we discuss ultrafast laser pulse shaping, in particular, the
acousto-optic modulator based Fourier-Transform pulse-shaper, which has the
ability to modulate tunable high power ultrafast laser pulses. We show that
optical pulse shaping is an attractive route to quantum computing since shaped
pulses can be transmitted over optical hardware and the same infrastructure can
be used for computation and optical information transfer. We also address the
problem of extending coherence-times for optically induced processes.
