Introduction to Quantum Computing

This course will provide an introduction to the field of quantum computing and information, covering a variety of topics ranging from computation and cryptography to foundations of quantum physics. Once familiar with the fundamentals, we will explore current research topics and discuss how quantum phenomena give rise to new algorithms for machine learning, quantum computational supremacy, cryptographic schemes with unprecedented security guarantees, and device-independent protocols.

As part of the exercises, you will run simple quantum programs on an actual, albeit noisy, quantum computer available through the cloud.

Topics covered include

- Fundamentals of quantum computing (quantum states, superposition, measurement, unitaries)

- The circuit model (qubits, unitary gates)

- Basic protocols (e.g. teleportation, superdense coding, state discrimination)

- Basic quantum algorithms (e.g. Deutch-Josza, Grover, HHL) and the concept of quantum computational supremacy

- Bell inequalities, non-local games and the concept of device-independence

- Basic quantum protocols for cryptography, e.g. quantum key-distribution

- Noisy intermediate scale quantum devices and quantum error-correction