Introductory description

We live in what is often dubbed ‘the information age’. Underlying this is immense computational capability. But what are the limits of computation? What do the laws of physics have to say about that?

This module will introduce quantum computation and show that the laws of quantum mechanics can provide additional computational capabilities. We will show how this can be used to solve certain problems more efficiently. We shall study what quantum computers can offer for simulations in physics and chemistry.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Computation is physical, why quantum computation?
2. Introduction to classical computation: Bits, gates, and Boolean circuits
3. Quantum mechanics as matrix algebra: Quantum states and measurements
4. Quantum computation: Qubits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits
5. Quantum Fourier transform: Phase estimation, order-finding
6. Quantum search algorithm: Grover’s algorithm
7. Quantum simulation: Application to physics and/or chemistry problems

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Explain the basics of quantum computation
• Understand some quantum algorithms
• Commence postgraduate research in quantum computation

Indicative reading list

MA Nielsen and IL Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, Cambridge University Press (2001)

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

Quantum computing started as an idea in physics but quickly developed into a major interdisciplinary endeavour involving mathematicians, computer scientists and others. This module looks, from the physicist's perspective, at how quantum states and operations on quantum states encode and process information.

Subject specific skills

Knowledge of mathematics, physics, theory of computation. Skills in modelling, reasoning, thinking.

Transferable skills

Analytical, communication, problem-solving, self-study