CS-C3260 - Practical Quantum Computing, Lecture, 23.4.2024-29.5.2024

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

You learn:

  • What is quantum computing and what are quantum computers?
  • What is quantum supremacy, or when will quantum computers become more powerful/relevant than classical ones?
  • What can be computed with the currently available quantum chips (NISQ)?
  • How  does one use the current available quantum chips?
  • How is arithmetic performed on a quantum computer?
  • What is the surface code? What is braiding? Lattice surgery?

Credits: 5

Schedule: 23.04.2024 - 29.05.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Alexandru Paler

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Motivation: Quantum computing promises a technical revolution, but what exactly does it refer to? Popular science articles often talk about qubit, entanglement, algorithm, quantum chemistry and the discovery of new drugs and materials. It is important to introduce the foundations of quantum computing, from a practical, realistic and (whenever possible) visual perspective. Quantum communication networks are already used for communicating across continents (Europe-Asia), and the first small scale quantum computers are available in the cloud for experiments. Nevertheless, industrially relevant quantum computing seems to be at least a decade away, because quantum error correction is a necessity but the current hardware is too resource restricted.

    Students will write scripts that compile quantum algorithms to quantum circuits, map the circuits to noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) machines, optimise and validate the hardware circuits. At the same time, the importance of error-correction will be shown by running experiments on the IBM cloud-based machine.

    Attendees will be able to follow the latest technical news and evaluate their importance. They will also be capable of embarking on exploratory small research projects related to the presented topics.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Workload over 12 weeks: each week consists of lecture (2h), Q&A session for reviewing scripts and problems (2h), as well as independent work (7h) in solving the assignments. Total 135h.

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period:

    2022-2023 Spring V
    2023-2024 Spring V

    Enrollment selection criteria: The intake is limited to 20 students. Students need to apply separately. In student selection, prior studies, motivation and the multidisciplinarity and diversity of the student group are taken into consideration.

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