Quantum Computation and Quantum Information Theory Course 

(Spring Term 2008)

Physics Department and Computer Science Department, Carnegie Mellon University
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh


Description     Assignments     Course Notes     Text Book     Reserved Books     Seminar     Links


Course Description

This course is given by the Physics Department, with assistance from the Computer Science Department, and the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Pittsburgh . The level is appropriate for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. A 12 unit course 33-758 uses the same lectures and problem assignments, and involves some additional work. In place of a final examination, students are required to write a term paper on a topic of their choice, subject to approval by the instructors.
COURSE NUMBER: 33-658

UNITS: 10

HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 3:30 to 4:20

CLASSROOM: Wean Hall 7316

FIRST CLASS MEETING: Monday, Jan. 14, 2008

INSTRUCTOR:

Prof. Robert Griffiths, Physics Department, Carnegie-Mellon
Telephone: 268-2765
Email: rgrif AT cmu.edu

CONSULTANTS:

Prof. Avrim Blum, Computer Science Department, Carnegie-Mellon
Telephone: 268-6452
Email: avrim AT cs.cmu.edu 

Prof. Edward Gerjuoy, Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh
Telephone: 624-2737
Email: gerjuoy+ AT pitt.edu


COURSE SYLLABUS:

The following list is subject to change.

I. Introduction to quantum mechanics with applications to teleportation, dense coding

II. Quantum computation III. Quantum information IV. Physical realizations

PREREQUISITES

Students should be familiar with linear algebra of complex vector spaces.

Quantum theory is not a prerequisite, and appropriate quantum concepts will be introduced as needed. Some prior knowledge will  prove helpful, and 33-234 or 33-445 (33-755) are recommended.

Algorithms and complexity theory are not prerequisites, and the appropriate concepts will be introduced as needed. Some prior knowledge of these topics, as treated in 15-211, 15-251, or 15-451, will prove helpful.




Assignments



Course notes





Text Book

The text book for the course will be Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by M. A. Nielsen and I. L. Chuang (Cambridge, 2000).

In addition the book Consistent Quantum Theory by R. B. Griffiths (Cambridge 2002) is recommended for part I of the course. Copies will be kept on reserve in the library. The chapters most relevant to the course are available here.

Library Books on Reserve

Linear Algebra

  1. G. Strang, Linear Algebra and Its Application, 3rd edition (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Publishers, 1988).
  2. P. R. Halmos, Finite-Dimensional Vector Spaces, 2d edition (D. Van Nostrand Co., 1958).
  3. R. A. Horn and C. R. Johnson, Matrix Analysis (Cambridge University Press, 1985).
  4. R. A. Horn and C. R. Johnson, Topics in Matrix Analysis (Cambridge University Press, 1991).
  5. S. Perlis, Theory of Matrices, (Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 1952). 

Probability Theory

  1. William Feller, An introduction to probability theory and its applications Vol 1, 3d ed, (Wiley, 1968).
  2. Morris H. DeGroot and Mark J. Schervish, Probability and statistics 3rd ed, (Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 2002).
  3. Sheldon M. Ross, Introduction to probability models 6th ed, (Academic Press, San Diego 1997). Other editions are also suitable.

Quantum Computation and Information

  1. M. A. Nielsen and I. L. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information (Cambridge, 2000).
  2. D. Bouwmeester (editor), The Physics of Quantum Information (Springer, 2000).
  3. H.-K. Lo, T. Spiller, S. Popescu, Introduction to Quantum Computation and Information (World Scientific, 1998).
  4. G. P. Berman (editor), Introduction to Quantum Computers (World Scientific, 1998).
  5. N. D. Mermin, Quantum Computer Science (Cambridge, 2007).
  6. G. Alber et al. Quantum Information: An Introduction to Basic Theoretical Concepts and Experiments (Springer, 2001).

Quantum Mechanics

  1. C. Cohen-Tannoudji, B. Diu, F. Laloe, Quantum Mechanics, Vols. 1, 2 (Hermann, Wiley 1977).
  2. R. B. Griffiths, Consistent Quantum Theory (Cambridge, 2002).
  3. R. Omnès, Understanding Quantum Mechanics (Princeton, 1999).
  4. A. Peres, Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods, (Kluwer, 1993).
  5. J. J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics (Benjamin/Cummings, 1985).
  6. R. Shankar, Principles of Quantum Mechanics Second ed (Plenum, 1994).

Computer Science

  1. T. H. Cormen, C. E. Leiserson and R. L. Rivest, Introduction to Algorithms (MIT Press, 1990).
  2. R. Motwani and P. Raghavan, Randomized Algorithms (Cambridge, 1995).
 


Quantum Information Seminar

The Carnegie Mellon Physics Department hosts weekly seminars on quantum computation and information.
For a seminar schedule and more information click here.

Literature and Links

The following are a selection of introductory or review articles which may provide useful background material for the subject and the course. The links will take you to the article or its abstract page, from which there are links to the full article in various formats. A subscription is often required for access to full text journal articles. An extensive compendium of literature on quantum information is available on David Collins' website.


Journals and Electronic Archives


Review and Introductory Articles

A number of other institutions have offered quantum information courses and links to some of these are also provided below.


Tutorials and Notes from Courses Offered Elsewhere

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This page is maintained by Vlad Gheorghiu
Last modified April 2008.