Practical Realities of Quantum Computation and Quantum Communication is a four-week online course that explores the practical realities and limitations of implementing the quantum algorithms and quantum cryptography that were examined in the Quantum Computing Fundamentals Program.
The course reviews quantum entanglement and quantum communications protocols, explores Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen, the challenges facing realistic quantum information systems, and methods to mitigate them.
This course is well suited for professionals and leaders in business, government, and technology that need to get an understanding of the business and technical implications of quantum computing. Given that quantum computing is in its earliest stages as an industry, any interested participant who would like to lead the quantum revolution within their field is encouraged to join this course to get a leading edge on this technology. (It is highly recommended that participants have a basic knowledge of vector and matrix multiplication as linear algebra is at the core of quantum computing algorithms. For more information about prerequisite knowledge, please visit this FAQ article.)
The coursework features video lectures, real-world case studies, interactive projects, practice activities with immediate feedback, as well as a self-reflection with peer-review. You will also will utilize the IBM Quantum Experience—a real quantum computer—to implement and run benchmarking techniques for quantum noise.
A faculty-led webinar allows learners the opportunity to ask course-related questions and allows instructors to expand on the course content referencing examples from their own experience advancing quantum computing.
This course prepares learners to understand the practical challenges faced today when implementing quantum computing algorithms and quantum communication protocols on real-world systems. Learners will study state and process tomography techniques and their applications in determining the fidelity of quantum bit states and quantum operations. You will discover techniques to counteract the challenges facing quantum computing and more confidently apply quantum computing principles to complex problems.
In the first week of the course, learners will learn to define, quantify, and represent noise, and investigate its ubiquity and the challenges it poses in realistic quantum information systems. You will explore the effects of noise on quantum coherence and how it impacts quantum gate operations.
In the second week, learners will assess the practical challenges facing realistic quantum communications by investigating the effects of photon loss on long-distance quantum communication protocols and exploring the developing methods for mitigating losses in larger-scale systems—such as quantum repeaters—and evaluate the possibility of quantum entanglement as a physical resource.
The third week transitions to understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing algorithms on the relatively noisy, intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers in use today. You will be introduced to a number of quantum algorithms and benchmarking methodologies currently demonstrated at small scale, and their potential for realistic implementation on today’s NISQ computers, and learn about the Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd quantum algorithm for solving systems of linear equations.
In the last week of the course, learners will put into practice techniques to test the fidelity of quantum bits on the IBM Quantum Computer. By establishing benchmarks and using tomographic techniques, learners will understand how to work a quantum computer efficiently even when noise and decoherence complicate the computations. Finally, learners will consider the gamification of quantum computing and the process of generating randomness. Please review the Course Schedule for more details.
Course participants will become conversant in the physical limits for quantum coherence times and quantum communication limits over optical fibers. Learners will be able to name specific limitations of quantum computing and suggest potential techniques to increase and confirm the fidelity of quantum bits.