Introduction to Quantum Computing

This course will be held in English!

Welcome to the website for the Introduction to Quantum Computing in summer term 2024. On this page you will find all information about the lecture and the corresponding tutorials.

Two scientific revolutions shaped the first half of the 20th century. On the one hand, pioneers such as Konrad Zuse, Alan Turing, and John von Neumann laid the foundations for the construction of the first practical calculating machines. On the other hand, the classical world view of physics, which had been expanded but hardly changed since the days of Newton, collapsed with the description of quantum mechanics.

These scientific revolutions were quickly followed by technical ones. Everyone is aware of the extent to which computers have shaped our society, our view of the world and our view of humanity. Many people are less aware that quantum mechanics also influences our everyday lives. It was the quantum mechanical description of the atom that made it possible to develop semiconductors and lasers; the transistor radio, the CD player and modern computer hardware are all consequences of quantum mechanics.

In recent decades, these two sciences have been brought together and a new interdisciplinary branch called quantum computing has emerged. The aim is to build quantum computers, develop quantum algorithms and investigate the consequences of quantum mechanics for information transmission.

The lecture explains the basics of quantum computing, including:

• Introduction to quantum mechanics
• Mathematical foundations (mainly linear algebra)
• Complexity of quantum algorithms and the need for new complexity classes
• Quantum bits (qubits) and quantum registers
• Quantum teleportation, dense coding and entanglement
• Various quantum algorithms, including search algorithms and quantum Fourier transformations
• Shor's algorithm and the implications for modern cryptography
• Hybrid quantum algorithms
• Quantum communication and quantum cryptography
• Available hardware and quantum computers

To participate, you should be familiar with the following content:

• Linear algebra
• Cryptography (e.g. from the IT security lecture): symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods (e.g. RSA), key exchange (e.g. Diffie-Hellmann)
• Basic understanding of quantum physics is helpful, but not a prerequisite

• Audience:The lecture is aimed at students in the Master's degree program in Computer Science, Media Informatics, Bioinformatics, students in the main study program in Computer Science (Diploma) or Media Informatics (Diploma) as well as students with a minor in Computer Science. Bachelor's students of Computer Science or Media Informatics can specify the lecture as "Vertiefende Themen der Informatik für Bachelor".
• SWS/ECTS: 5 SWS (3V, 2Ü), 6 ECTS according to module description
• Major course assessment: Written exam
• Exercise mode: In addition to the lecture, weekly exercise sheets with tutorials are offered, with the submission of exercise sheets a bonus can be earned for the exam.
  

Dates

Lecture

Friday, 2pm-5pm
Oettingenstr. 67 - B 001
The first lecture will take place on April 19, 2024.

Tutorials

You can choose one of the following tutorial time slots:

• Thursday, 12pm-2pm
  Oettingenstr. 67 - B U101
  
• Friday, 10am-12pm
  Oettingenstr. 67 - B U101
  
The tutorials will start in the week of April 22, 2024.


Exam

Information will follow.


Current date changes or new dates will be communicated in Moodle.

Lecture Notes

The lecture notes and the slides for the lecture can be found in Moodle.

Recommended Literature

KAYE, Phillip; LAFLAMME, Raymond; MOSCA, Michele.
An introduction to quantum computing
Oxford University Press, 2007

HOMEISTER, Matthias. (German)
Quantum Computing Verstehen: Grundlagen – Anwendungen – Perspektiven.
5th edition, Springer-Verlag, 2018

Quantum Computation Lecture Notes and Homework Assignments
Cornell, Spring 2006
http://www.lassp.cornell.edu/mermin/qcomp/CS483.html

David McMahon
Quantum Computing Explained
John Wiley & Sons, June 2008
EAN: 9780470181362

Aaronson, Scott
Introduction to Quantum Information Science Lecture Notes
https://www.scottaaronson.com/qclec.pdf

Michael A. Nielsen, Isaac L. Chuang
Quantum Computation and Quantum Information
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511976667
10th Anniversary Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2012

Contact

Via e-mail or after the lectures and tutorials or by appointment.