Quantum computation at UvA

Course on Quantum Computation, October 1-December 17, 2003, University of Amsterdam

This course provides an introduction to quantum computation. Topics include the physical implementation of quantum computers, universal quantum computation, quantum algorithms (Shor’s
algorithm, Grover’s algorithm), quantum error correction and quantum cryptography.

Reading:

We will use some material/exercises from
the following book, which I recommend buying:

• Quantum Computation and Quantum Information Theory by M.A. Nielsen and I.L. Chuang (NC), Cambridge University Press (675 pages), available as paperback at amazon.com or at Scheltema Holkema Vermeulen in Amsterdam.

Other literature that may be of use:

• Classical and Quantum Computation by A. Yu. Kitaev, A. Shen and M.N. Vyalyi (KSV), AMS monograph (272 pages), available at amazon.com.
• Preskill's lecture notes available at http://www.theory.caltech.edu/people/preskill/ph229
• Many research papers are available in preprint form at http://lanl.arxiv.org/archive/quant-ph/

Overview of Course:

• Lecture 1, Oct.1, Terhal: History. Quantum mechanics: states, density matrices, operations and entanglement, NC Reading 1.1-1.3. 2.1-2.5.
• Lecture 2, Oct. 8, DiVincenzo: Physical implementation of a quantum computer I, NC Reading Chap 7.
• Lecture 3, Oct. 15, DiVincenzo: Physical implementation of a quantum computer II, NC Reading Chap. 7.
• Lecture 4, Oct. 22, Terhal: Theory of Quantum Gates and Universality NC Reading 4.1-4.5.
• Lecture 5, Oct. 29, Terhal: Complexity Classes, Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm and Grover's search algorithm. NC Reading 1.4, Chap. 3, 6.1, 6.6.
• Lecture 6, Nov. 5, DiVincenzo: Optical Grover Search, Quantum Fourier Transform. Phase estimation. NC Reading 5.1-5.4.1.
• Lecture 7, Nov. 12, Terhal: Shor's algorithm, RSA and some number theory. NC Reading Appendix 4.
• Lecture 8, Nov. 19, DiVincenzo: Superoperators, Noise Models and Decoherence. NC Reading Chap. 8.
• Lecture 9, Nov. 26, DiVincenzo: Distance Measures and Quantum Error Correction I. NC Reading 9, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3.
• Lecture 10, Dec. 3, DiVincenzo: Quantum Error Correction II and The idea of fault-tolerance. NC Reading Chap. 10.
• Lecture 11, Dec 10, Terhal : Quantum Key Distribution I. NC Reading 12.6.
• Lecture 12, Dec. 17, Terhal: Quantum Key Distribution II NC Reading 12.6.