NFYK23005U Physical Implementations of Quantum Information Processing

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Nanoscience
MSc Programme in Physics
MSc Programme in Quantum Information Science

Content

Quantum information processing aims at exploiting the laws of quantum mechanics to solve tasks which are impossible with the technologies we have to day. To realise these applications, it is essential to make devices capable of processing information according to the laws of quantum mechanics. The aim of this course is to give an introduction to how to build such quantum information processors, both for quantum computation and quantum communication. To this end, we will study some of the leading platforms used in the field today. We will discuss the basic principles of the platforms and where they are today, as well as their imperfections and the challenges facing them.

Learning Outcome

Skills

After the course, the student should be able to describe how quantum information processing is implemented in various systems as well as their challenges and imperfections. Specifically the student should be able to:

  • Describe imperfections with the density matrix and master equation.
  • Explain how to realise quantum computation with trapped ions, superconducting qubits and spin qubits in gate defined quantum dots.
  • Explain simple quantum communication protocols, e.g. quantum repeaters, and how they are realised with atomic ensembles, NV centers and self-assembled quantum dots.
  • Discuss advantages and disadvantages of the various systems considered as well as the challenges facing them.
  • Be familiar with basic experimental techniques used for quantum information processing.

 

Knowledge

The participants should know how one can implement quantum information processing in physical systems. Specifically, the students should know this for the systems mentioned above. Furthermore, they should know the status of current research in the field and how far we are in building quantum information processors.

 

Competences

After the course, the student will be familiar with state-of-the-art experiments in quantum information processing. Throughout the course, we will read scientific articles reporting progress on real implementations. This will give the students experience with reading original scientific literature. In addition the students will acquire tools to describe open quantum systems  and understand imperfections in real implementations. The combination of these things will give the participants a firm background for a possible master thesis on the implementation of quantum information processing.

Literature

See Absalon for final course material

The participants should have a strong background in quantum mechanics corresponding to a bachelor in physics. It is an advantage, but not a necessity, to have knowledge of basic principles of quantum information processing.
Lectures, exercises, article discussions and possibly experimental exercises. Lectures will be “flipped classroom” with group discussions of video lectures, which are made available before the classes.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 134,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 39
  • Laboratory
  • 4
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 minutes (no preparation)
Exam registration requirements

One assignment needs to be approved to participate in the exam

Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Same as ordinary exam.

If the exam prerequisite is not fulfilled, the student can hand in a new assignment until 3 weeks before the re-exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning outcome