Quantum Computing Fall 2024

Course Description

Remarkable results from the last three decades have given evidence that computers based on quantum mechanical principles could profoundly alter the nature of information processing. Efficient algorithms for breaking widely used cryptographic systems, query efficient strategies for database searches, techniques like teleportation and superdense coding, and provably secure schemes for cryptographic key distribution have demonstrated how differently quantum information behaves, and how these properties can be exploited to solve certain computational tasks better than known classically.

This course focuses on the algorithmic aspects of quantum computing. We develop a quantum model of computation, and discuss known paradigms of efficient quantum computation, including amplitude amplification, phase estimation, quantum walks, and quantum signal processing. We apply them to computational problems such as satisfiability, the hidden subgroup problem (including integer factoring and discrete log), simulation, and solving systems of linear equations.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of linear algebra (eigenvalues and eigenvectors) and familiarity with probability and algorithms are essential. Prior knowledge of theoretical computer science at the level of CS 520/577 is helpful. No knowledge of quantum physics is assumed.

Text

There is no required text. Notes from a similar prior course are available from the tab on the left.

Lectures

TR 4:00-5:15pm in 1221 CS.

Instructor

Dieter van Melkebeek