Patrick Lei

January 2024

Quantum information undergrad seminar

This is an undergraduate seminar on quantum information theory.

About this seminar

For many years, it has been expected that quantum algorithms will massively increase computational efficiency for certain tasks, for example factorization of integers. In this seminar, you will learn how to think about the most basic unit of quantum computing, the qubit, and interactions between them using the language of linear algebra. Later in the semester, we will move on to applications, for example quantum algorithms, approximation, or error correction.

Expectations

Each participant will give at least one talk over the course of the semester, during which I hope you enjoy some interesting mathematics and improve your presentation skills. Speakers are required to meet with me once at least 24 hours before your talk (note: I will not agree to meet over the weekend), at which point your notes should be 75% done. After your talk, please email me a copy of your notes. When you are not speaking, I hope that you can help form a friendly and lively seminar environment. The expectations are as follows:

  • Attendance is required. If you must miss class for some reason, please email me as soon as possible.
  • For every talk in which you are not speaking, please write three things (read the link to see what a "thing" is) on a sheet of paper (with your name and date on it) and give it to me at the end of the class. Note that you may write the three "things" during the talk.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions during the talk.

Schedule

Each talk will last approximately 50 minutes. The schedule is subject to change at any point.

Date Speakers Topic Notes/References
1/22 Patrick Lei Organizational meeting
1/29 Liz Radway, Peri Kay Chapter 1 Liz's notes, Peri's notes
2/05 Nathan Raghavan, Rimas Chacar-Palubinskas Chapter 2 Nathan's notes, Rimas's notes
2/12 Akshay Nambudiripad, Ella Roselli Chapter 3 Akshay's notes, Ella's notes
2/19 Raunak Lally, Tabitha Wan Chapter 4 Raunak's notes, Tabitha's notes
2/26 Naomi Jiang, Francesco Stern Chapter 5 Naomi's notes, Francesco's notes
3/04 Chloe Lambert, Tasmim Rahman Chapter 6 Chloe's notes, Tasmim's notes
3/11 Spring break
3/18 Erica Choi, Sam Kim Chapter 7 Erica's notes, Sam's notes
3/25 Jane Meenaghan, Erica Choi Chapter 8 Jane's notes, Erica's notes
4/01 Nick Evgenidze, Cara Zhu Chapter 9 Nick's notes, Cara's notes
4/08 Nathan Raghavan Decoherence and recoherence
Reference: Ch 13
Notes
Cara Zhu Quantum error correction
Reference: Ch 14
see below
4/15 Cara Zhu Quantum error correction (continued, see above) Notes
Mark Chen Quantum cryptography as interactive proof system
Reference: Kalai-Lombardi-Vaikuntanathan-Yang, Natarajan-Zhang
Notes
4/22 Ella Roselli A theory of quantum error-correcting codes
Reference: Knill-Laflamme
Notes
Naomi Jiang Quantum Arthur-Merlin games
Reference: Marriott-Watrous
Notes
4/29 Tabitha Wan On random and hard-to-describe numbers
Reference: Bennett
Notes
Francesco Stern Quantum key distribution
Reference: Shor-Preskill, Ekert, Bennett, Bruß-Macchiavello
Notes

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