Course Title

Quantum Computing for Physical Systems

Course Code

COS 506

Course Type

Elective

Level

PhD

Instructor’s Name

Prof. Constantia Alexandrou (Lead Instructor), Dr. Stefan Kühn

ECTS

5

Lectures / week

2 (90 min. each) for 5-6 weeks

Laboratories / week

2 (90 min. each) for 1-2 weeks

Course Purpose and Objectives

The goal of the course is to provide a basic introduction to quantum computing and quantum information theory. Students will learn essential theoretical concepts in the field as well as algorithmic approaches with a focus on the circuit model of quantum computation.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be introduced to the circuit model of quantum computation and learn various established quantum algorithms providing speedups over the best known classical algorithms. Analyzing those in detail, they will acquire skills in understanding the origin of quantum speedups as well as in designing quantum programs. Complementary hands-on sessions will provide practical experience on how to implement quantum circuits on existing, small-scale quantum hardware. Students will also learn how to apply these methods in the context of interacting many body systems with a focus on overcoming limitations of existing classical simulation techniques.

Prerequisites

None

Background Requirements

Knowledge on quantum mechanics, basic computational approaches

Course Content

Weeks 4-7
-  RSA cryptography and Shor’s algorithm
-  Quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing 
-  Algorithmic approaches for noisy, intermediate-scale quantum devices: hybrid quantum/classical algorithms
-  Quantum simulation

Teaching Methodology

-  (10-12) x1.5 h Lectures depending on the audience
-  (2-4) x 1.5 h hands-on sessions
-  2-4 homework assignments
-  Presentation of final project

Bibliography

-  Course notes
-  Michael A. Nielsen, Isaac L. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information

Assessment

The following assessment methods will be combined for the final grade:

Language

English