Csls workshop on quantum computation

Workshop overview

Quantum computation uses quantum mechanical phenomena to perform operations on data measured by qubits. It is part of quantuminformation processing, which has the potential to revolutionize our methods of securing, processing, storing, retrieving, transmitting anddisplaying information. A quantum computer can implement new algorithms, to perform e.g. rapid integer factorization, therebythreatening current cryptosystems, and quicker database searches. Practical difficulties have limited us to seven qubitcomputers so far, but the possibilities of this emerging technology have led to many centers, learned and popular articles, and even themovie "Timeline". In this workshop, three experts in the theoretical, experimental, and engineering aspects of quantum computation will takeus from basics to cutting-edge.

• Go to the talk on Quantum Information, Computation, and Communication (by Prof. Richard Cleve)
• Go to the talk on Prospects for Real Quantum Information Processing Devices in the Laboratory (by Dr. David DiVincenzo)
• Go to the talk on The Future of Quantum Information Processing: How Big, How Fast, How Powerful? (by Prof. Seth Lloyd)

Remark: This workshop was held on February 10, 2005 as part of the Computational Sciences Lecture Series (CSLS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Quantum information, computation, and communication

By Prof. Richard Cleve (University of Waterloo, Canada)

(Slides are not available) | Video [WMV]

ABSTRACT: A quantum computer is an information processing device that harnesses the strange power of quantum mechanics: it can exist inseveral states simultaneously and its computation paths can interfere with each other. Following a brief introduction to quantuminformation, the talk will review developments in quantum algorithms and various notions of communication with quantum information.

Prospects for real quantum information processing devices in the laboratory

By Dr. David DiVincenzo(IBM Watson Research Center, USA)

Slides of talk [PDF] | Video [WMV]

ABSTRACT: Some very hard things have to happen in the laboratory tomake even rudimentary quantum information processing a reality. I will give a report "from the trenches" to give some idea of how you startfrom scratch -- in a state of the art solid state physics lab -- and try to make a working qubit. I will also give a point of view onprogress on other fronts where things seem to be going better, in particular in the atomic physics lab.

The future of quantum information processing: how big, how fast, how powerful?

By Prof. Seth Lloyd (MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)

(Slides are not available) | Video [WMV]

ABSTRACT: Existing quantum computers and quantum communication systems operate at the fundamental performance limits posed by the laws ofphysics. This talk reviews the physical limits to quantum information processing, and explores the future of the field.