Quantum Computing – Theory and Practice: Introduction and overview

This is part of the short course ‘Quantum Computing – Theory and Practice’, http://talks.cam.ac.uk/show/index/86491

This course covers fundamental theoretical concepts of quantum computation and quantum information will be covered. In addition, hands-on experimentation of quantum algorithms will be demonstrated on actual quantum devices. Special consideration will be given to realization of limitations of current, non-fault tolerant quantum systems, as well as means to mitigate them when possible.

Specifically, lecture 1 covers:
a. Introduction and overview – historical review, quantum bits, quantum computation, quantum algorithms, quantum information, models of computation, complexity analysis
b. Algebraic preliminaries – Pauli matrices, adjoint, Hermitians and unitary operators, tensor product spaces, commutative and anti-commutative relations
c. Brief introduction to quantum mechanics – the postulates of quantum mechanics (state space, evolution, quantum measurement and composite systems)

There will be a 15 minute break in the middle of the lecture.

It is useful for students to have a laptop/tablet (or even a smartphone) for some of the more practical examples, but this is not necessary. Those without computer access can follow a demo shown by the instructor.

• Speaker: Lior Horesh, IBM
• Tuesday 01 May 2018, 14:00–16:30
• Venue: CMS, MR3.
• Series: CCIMI short course: Quantum Computing – Theory and Practice; organiser: Rachel Furner.