Course Outline

Quantum information concerns how quantum systems can be used for information processing tasks in ways that are not possible for conventional, classical, systems and devices. During the last 40 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, efficient methods for simulating real quantum systems such as complex molecules and sensing or measurement schemes offering an accuracy surpassing conventional protocols. 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.

Recently, experimental realizations of quantum information processing have advanced rapidly and many private enterprises offer commercial quantum cryptography and computing platforms. Developing these requires understanding theoretical ideas in quantum information and a slew of experimental and computational techniques.

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: August 25, 2026 Homework 1
Due: August 28, 2026 Homework 2
Due: September 4, 2026 Homework 3
Due: September 11, 2026 Homework 4
Due: September 15, 2026 Homework 5
Due: September 28, 2026 Homework 6
Due: October 2, 2026 Homework 7
Due: October 12, 2026 Homework 8
Due: October 16, 2026 Homework 9
Due: October 26, 2026 Homework 10
Due: October 30, 2026 Homework 11
Due: November 6, 2026 Homework 12
Due: November 13, 2026 Homework 13
Due: November 30, 2026 Homework 14
Due: December 4, 2026 Homework 15

Exams

There will be three 50minute long exams during class on the following dates: Monday September 21, 2026, Monday October 19, 2026 and Monday November 16, 2026.

Exams and solutions from previous semesters.

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

Exams and solutions from this semester.

Solutions will be posted after each exam has been graded.

Fall 2026 Class exam 1
Fall 2026 Class exam 1: Solutions
Fall 2026 Class exam 2
Fall 2026 Class exam 2: Solutions
Fall 2026 Class exam 3
Fall 2026 Class exam 3: Solutions

Supplementary Reading

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

  1. Quantum Theory

    1. D. H. McIntyre, Quantum Mechanics, Pearson (2012).

      An undergraduate text that uses the "spins first" approach. Covers fundamental aspects of quantum theory illustrated extensively with spin-1/2 systems.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. 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. Periodic Table of Elements WebElements site.
    4. NIST Standard Reference Data 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. oPhysics Physics simulations provided by Tom Walsh.
    3. LTU Applets. Collection of simulations provided by Scott Schneider, Lawrence Technological University.
    4. Animations for Physics and Astronomy. Collection of simulations from Dr. Michael R. Gallis, Penn State University, Schuylkill. Youtube channel
    5. Physclips. Collection of simulations from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
  3. Physics News
    1. Physic Magazine: IYQ Quantum Milestones APS article with highlights from the International Year of Quantum (2025).
    2. Physic Magazine: Quantum Physics APS magazine highlighting recent developments in physics.
    3. Phys.org Not sure who produces this.
    4. Physics. Run by the American Physical Society (APS). Summaries of new technical articles.
    5. Physics World. Run by the Institute of Physics (IOP), a major European physics professional society.
    6. Nature. Collection of news items about quantum information, provided by Nature.
  4. Quantum Information Websites
    1. Quantum Gov. US Federal Government, National Quantum Initiative. Coordinate effort to further quantum science and technology in the US.
    2. Quantiki. Run by various European quantum information groups.
  5. Quantum Information Processors
    1. IBM Quantum Platform. Cloud computing using quantum information processors at IBM.
  6. Quantum Information Research Centers
    1. National QIS Research Centers. Major research centers in the US organized under the US National Quantum Initiative.
    2. Q-SEnSE. University of Colorado, Boulder. NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute.
    3. HQAN. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute.
    4. CIQC. University of California, Berkeley. NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute.
    5. QuBBE. University of Chicago. NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute.
    6. RQS. University of Maryland, College Park. NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute.
  7. Quantum Information Companies
    1. D-Wave. Developing quantum computing devices.
    2. Google Quantum AI. Developing quantum devices.
    3. Microsoft Quantum. Developing quantum devices.
    4. IonQ. Trapped ion quantum devices. Based in College Park, MD.
    5. Alice and Bob. Superconducting quantum devices. Based in Paris, France.
    6. IBM Quantum Computing. Developing quantum devices.
    7. Atom Computing. Neutral atom quantum devices. Based in Berkeley, CA.
    8. IQM Quantum Computers. Superconducting quantum devices. Based in Espoo, Finland.
    9. Quantinuum Trapped ion quantum devices. Based in Cambridge UK and Broomfield, CO.
    10. Infleqtion Neutral atom quantum devices. Based in Louisville, CO.
    11. ID Quantique. Developing quantum cryptography devices.
    12. MagiQ. Developing quantum cryptography devices.
    13. Mesa Quantum Developing quantum sensors. Based in Boulder, CO.
    14. Rigetti. Superconducting quantum devices. Based Berkeley, CA.
    15. Xanadu. Photonic quantum devices. Based in Toronto, Canada.
  8. Quantum Information Research Institutions in Academia
    1. Perimeter Institute Loosely associated with the University of Waterloo, Canada.
    2. Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science University of Maryland and NIST.