Quantum computing (2008/2009)

Learning outcomes

This course provides an introduction to quantum computing by presenting the ideas and the techniques at the basis of the quantum computational paradigm and the most important results that have been achieved so far in the associated research fields. Given the intrinsic interdisciplinary nature of the topics, some background knowledge in mathematics and physics is necessary, which are introduced in the first part of the course. This makes the course accessible also to non-experts.
The second part is devoted to a more in depth treatment of some of the central results in quantum complexity and computability as well as the devolopment of quantum algorithms.

Part I: Basic Notions

- Quantum bit, quantum circuit, quantum algorithm
- Basics of quantum mechanics
- Basics of classical computability

Part II: Quantum Computing

- Circuit model
- Quantum Turing Machine
- Fourier Transformer and its applications to:
1)Phase estimation 2)Order finding 3)Factorisation
- Quantum search
- Physical realisation of quantum computers
- Quantum programming languages
- Quantum Cryptography

Written and oral test