Provided by: Michael Walter
Number of ECTS: 8
Level: First year MSc Mathematics, Physics, or similar
Number of lectures: 14 lectures of 2×45 minutes each
Date: The course is offered Feb-May, but all teaching material is already available now (see below).
Competence framework topics:
5 Quantum computing and simulation
5.1 Quantum gates
5.3 Quantum algorithms and computing techniques
Short description of the content: With the birth of Quantum Mechanics a century ago, our understanding of the physical world has profoundly expanded, and so has our understanding of information. While a classical bit assumes only discrete values, represented by the binary values zero and one, a quantum-mechanical bit or “qubit” can assume a continuum of intermediate states. Quantum Information Theory studies the remarkable properties of this new type of information, ways of processing it, as well as its advantages and limitations.
This course offers a mathematical introduction to Quantum Information Theory. We will start with the fundamentals (such as quantum states, measurements, and entropy) and then discuss some more advanced topics (entanglement theory, quantum communication) and techniques (symmetric subspace, decoupling).
This course complements Ronald de Wolf’s course on Quantum Computing. Neither course requires the other, but students interested in writing a thesis in quantum information/computing are encouraged to follow both.
More information: https://staff.fnwi.uva.nl/m.walter/qit21
Maximum number of student participants:
Maximum number of universities participating:
Pre-requisites for the course: Familiarity with linear algebra (in finite dimensions) and probability theory (with finitely many outcomes), but we recap the more difficult bits in class. Concretely this means the material in Chapter 2.1 and Appendix 1 of “Quantum Computation and Quantum Information” by Nielsen and Chuang. Please have a brief look at the lecture notes to get more of an impression. In addition, you should have some experience writing down correct and complete mathematical proofs. We also offer some optional exercises that will involve programming to explore mathematical concepts that we discuss in class.
Some prior exposure to quantum mechanics or information theory can be helpful, but is not necessary to follow the course.
Material available:
• Video recordings
• Lecture notes including many exercises
Need for teaching assistance: We advise that you offer weekly exercise classes. In Amsterdam, we use these to present homework solutions and to give students the opportunity to work on exercises or homework problems in the presence of teaching assistants.
Other remarks concerning this course: –
Known to be available at:
University of AmsterdamSigning up: Contact your local QTOM representative for instructions to sign up. The list of local QTOM representatives is maintained on the student area page.