The course provides an introduction to quantum computation. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, in a first part the necessary background in physics is provided, illustrating the phenomena that led to the crisis of classical physics and the birth of quantum mechanics. In the second part the mathematical formalism used to describe the phenomena underlying quantum computation is examined. In the third part the computer science aspect is addressed, illustrating the concept of qubit and the main 1- and 2-qubit quantum gates. Examples of simple quantum circuits and quantum communication protocols are also illustrated. During the course, exercises in Qiskit will be carried out for the implementation of quantum circuits that will be run both on a simulator and on real quantum computers using the IBM Quantum Platform.

01. Waves and particles
01.01 Electromagnetic waves
01.02 Interference, diffraction and polarization of the light
01.03 Planck's law
01.04 Photons and the photoelectric effect
01.05 The Compton effect
01.06 Light, wave or particle?
01.07 Bohr's atom
01.08 De Broglie's formula

02. The quantum world
02.01 The principle of complementarity
02.02 Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
02.03 The wave function, the Schrödinger equation
02.04 The principle of superposition
02.05 The problem of measurement and Schrödinger's cat
02.06 Experiments which way
02.07 Entanglement and EPR paradox
02.08 Bell inequalities

03. Recall on Vector Spaces
03.01 Hilbert spaces
03.02 Ket and Bra
03.03 Bases
03.04 Operators
03.05 Eigenvalues ​​and eigenvectors
03.06 Tensor product
03.07 The postulates of quantum mechanics

04. Qubits
04.01 Quantum computers
04.02 From bit to qubit
04.03 Bloch Sphere
04.04 Multiple qubit states
04.05 Entangled states
04.06 1-qubit quantum logic gates
04.07 2-qubit quantum logic gates

05. Examples of Quantum Circuits
05.01 3-CNOT gate
05.02 Bell circuit
05.03 SWAP test
05.04 GHZ circuit
05.05 CHSH Game
05.06 Basic algorithms: Deutsch-Jozsa and Grover
05.07 Error correction

06. Quantum Communication Protocols
06.01 No Cloning Theorem
06.02 Quantum Teleportation
06.03 Superdense Coding
06.04 The BB84 Protocol

Although there are no mandatory prerequisites for this exam, students are strongly encouraged to take it after the exams of: General Physics and Linear Algebra.

Knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, students will have to demonstrate critical understanding of the issues of modern physics underlying quantum computation, understanding the limits and advantages of this new paradigm compared to classical computation.

Applying knowledge and understanding:
Students will become familiar with quantum programming techniques and must be able to apply them to the resolution of simple problems. The ability to create simple quantum circuits will be developed and refined in exercises on simulators and remote hardware using development platforms such as IBM's Qiskit.

Making judgments:
Students will be able to apply what they have learned to understand and solve new problems related to quantum computing. The critical discussions in the classroom and the exercises will serve to stimulate and develop the student's independent judgement.

Communication skills:
Students will acquire the ability to express the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics and quantum computing with appropriate and rigorous terminology.

Learning skills:
Students will acquire the ability to independently study and delve deeper into the topics covered in the course through scientific texts and publications

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons and computer exercises

Attendance

Although recommended, attendance of this course is not mandatory.

Course books

For the physics and algebra of vector spaces: handouts provided by the teacher"

Introduction to Quantum computing, R. LaPierre, Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2021
Fundamentals of Quantum Computing: Theory and Practice, V. Kasirajan, Springer, 2021
This book is available online at:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-63689-0

Assessment

Oral exam. The evaluation of the oral exam considers the knowledge acquired, the understanding of the subject, and the ability to rigorously present the topic covered.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

As for attendees.

Attendance

As for attendees.

Course books

As for attendees.

Assessment

As for attendees.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.