Course Outline

Quantum information concerns how quantum systems can be harnessed to do information processing tasks in ways that are not possible for conventional, classical, systems and devices. During the last 25 years a wide variety of theoretical quantum information processing schemes have been developed. These include cryptographic key distribution protocols, algorithms that can factorize numbers efficiently and efficient methods for simulating real quantum systems such as complex molecules. Separately classical information theory has been adapted for quantum systems and used to assess communication and measurement tasks involving quantum systems and even inform our understanding of the foundations of quantum physics.

Although experimental implementations in the field have lagged behind theoretical development, these have reached the stage where commercial cryptography devices are available and it appears likely that in the next few years a quantum device will be able to outperform any classical supercomputer on a specific task.

This course introduces you to the ideas of quantum information. It does not assume any knowledge of formal quantum physics and it will include a development of the key foundational ideas of quantum physics.

The course will cover the following topics subject to minor modifications.

  1. Basic ideas of classical computing.
  2. Fundamentals of quantum physics.
  3. Quantum cryptography and teleportation.
  4. Quantum computing and algorithms.
  5. Experimental implementations of quantum information processing.

Homework Assignments

Due: 28 August 2018 Homework 1
Due: 4 September 2018 Homework 2
Due: 11 September 2018 Homework 3
Due: 18 September 2018 Homework 4
Due: 25 September 2018 Homework 5
Due: 2 October 2018 Homework 6
Due: 16 October 2018 Homework 7
Due: 23 October 2018 Homework 8
Due: 30 October 2018 Homework 9
Due: 6 November 2018 Homework 10
Due: 15 November 2018 Homework 11

Homework Solutions

Homework solutions will be posted in the course Desire 2 Learn (D2L) shell.


Exams

There will be two exams during class on the following dates: 2 October 2018 and 13 November 2018. Solutions to the exams for this semester will be posted below after the exams have been graded.

Exams and solutions from this semester.

Solutions will be posted after each exam has been graded.

Fall 2018 Class exam 1
Fall 2018 Class exam 1: Solutions
Fall 2018 Class exam 2
Fall 2018 Class exam 2: Solutions

Supplementary Reading

There are many additional texts which are potentially suitable for this course. The following is a selection.

  1. Quantum Theory

    1. J. S. Townsend, A Modern Approach to Quantum Theory, University Science (2012).

      One of the better undergraduate texts that deals with fundamental aspects of quantum systems.

    2. A. Peres, Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods, Springer (1995).

      Focuses on the foundations of quantum physics. Excellent discussions of quantum measurements and how probability theory enters in quantum physics.

    3. D. Collins, Notes for Quantum Theory.

      Lecture notes from my previous quantum theory courses.

  2. Quantum Information

    1. S. M. Barnett, Quantum Information, Oxford (2009).

      Intended for upper division undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Includes sections on classical information theory and quantum communications.

    2. M. A. Nielsen and I. L. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, Cambridge (2011).

      Originally published in 2000, "Mike and Ike" remains a standard reference for the field. Mostly intended for graduate students but parts are accessible to upper division undergraduates. Includes sections on classical information theory and quantum channels.

    3. M. M. Wilde, Quantum Information Theory, Cambridge (2017).

      Focuses on the "information" part of quantum information theory. This text does deal with quantum algorithms, etc, but it is very comprehensive on quantum channels, quantum communication and Shannon theory for quantum information. If you have any questions about quantum channels this would be the place to start.

Links and Animations

  1. Reference Sources
    1. Physlink Reference information and data, including decimal system notation, physical constants, math constants, astro-physical constants, etc,....
    2. Eric Weinstein's World of Physics Encyclopedia of Physics maintained by Wolfram Research. Entries at a variety of technical levels.
    3. Science and Engineering Encyclopedia: Physics Encyclopedia of Physics with a somewhat cumbersome interface. Includes conversion calculators.
    4. Periodic Table of Elements WebElements site.
    5. NIST Databases Administered by the National Institute for Standards and Technology. The final word in physical data. Intended for professionals.
  2. Animations
    1. PhET From the University of Colorado.
    2. LTU Applets Collection of simulations provided by Scott Schneider, Lawrence Technological University.
    3. Animations for Physics and Astronomy Collection of simulations from the Penn State University, Schuylkill.
    4. Physclips Collection of simulations from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
  3. Physics News
    1. Phys.org Not sure who produces this.
    2. Physics. Run by the American Physical Society (APS). Summaries of new technical articles.
    3. Physics World. Run by the Institute of Physics (IOP), a major European physics professional society.
    4. Nature. Collection of news items about quantum information, provided by Nature.
  4. Quantum Information Websites
    1. Quantiki. Run by various European quantum information groups. Frequent news items posted via their Facebook page.
    2. Quantum Pontiff. Blog run by Dave Bacon (Microsoft). Information theory flavored discussions.
  5. Quantum Information Processors
    1. IBM Q Experience. Cloud computing using small quantum information processors at IBM.
  6. Quantum Information Companies and Research Institutions
    1. D-Wave. Developing quantum computing devices.
    2. Google Quantum Computing. Developing quantum devices.
    3. IBM Quantum Computing. Developing quantum devices.
    4. HRL Laboratories. Developing quantum devices.
    5. ID Quantique. Developing quantum cryptography devices.
    6. InfiniQuant. Developing quantum communication devices.
    7. IonQ. Developing quantum devices.
    8. Lockheed Martin Quantum Information. Developing quantum cryptography devices.
    9. MagiQ. Developing quantum cryptography devices.
    10. Microsoft Quantum Computing. Developing quantum devices.
    11. QuantumCTek. Developing quantum computing devices.
    12. Rigetti. Developing quantum computing devices.
    13. Xanadu. Developing quantum computing devices.
  7. Quantum Information Research Institutions in Academia
    1. Oxford Quantum Oxford University.
    2. Perimeter Institute Loosely associated with the University of Waterloo, Canada.
    3. Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science University of Maryland and NIST.