- Docente: Elisa Ercolessi
- Credits: 6
- SSD: FIS/02
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Elisa Ercolessi (Modulo 1) Francesco Minardi (Modulo 2) Tommaso Calarco (Modulo 3)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2) Traditional lectures (Modulo 3)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Physics (cod. 9244)
Learning outcomes
Students will be introduced to the fundamental laws and the innovative technologies that are at the heart of the new quantum revolution, which is expected to have also a profound impact on culture and society. At the end of the course, students will know the basics of: • theory and main applications of quantum information, communication and computation; • physical realizations of quantum resources and protocols. At the end of the course students will be able to: • analyze simple protocols of quantum information processing; • describe and compare available experimental platforms.
Course contents
The course covers the fundamental aspects of modern quantum information and computation theory, addressing the topics from both theoretical and conceptual (modules 1 and 2) and experimental (module 3) perspectives, with a look at technological applications.
Module 1 (Prof. Calarco, 16 h)
- Describing a quantum object
The qubit: states, evolution and measurement
Compound systems: separability and entanglement
- Elements of quantum computation theory
Elementary quantum gates and circuits; quantum parallelism and Deutsch's algorithm; hints on other algorithms
Copying a state: distinguishability and "fidelity"; no-cloning theorem and the implementation of classical computation
- Elements of information theory and quantum communication
Separable states and entanglement
The teleportation protocol
Module 2 (Prof. Ercolessi, 16 h)
- Quantum logic and conceptual aspects
The superposition principle and its consequences
The role of probability
Entanglement and its applications
The EPR paradox and Bell's inequality
- Some applications
The digital quantum computer: simple applications on an emulator (in-class exercise)
Quantum cryptography: the BB84 and BBM92 protocols (simulation and laboratory experience)
- Open systems
Pure and mixed states: the density matrix
Interaction with the environment and quantum channels
Examples of decoherence for a single qubit
Module 3 (Prof. Minardi, 16 h)
- Quantum teleportation experiments
With photons, Vienna experiment
With ions (by S. Olmschenk et al.)
- Particularly relevant experimental aspects
Bell measurements with beam-splitter
Generation of entangled photons by parametric conversion
- Experimental violation of Bell's inequalities
Freedman and Clauser experiment
Aspect experiments
- Distribution of quantum cryptographic keys
experimental demonstration of the E91 protocol
transmission of keys by satellite
Readings/Bibliography
M.A. Nielsen and I.L. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum information, Cambridge
J. Preskill, Quantum information and Computation and Quantum, http://theory.caltech.edu/~preskill/
Other reading suggestions and material will be made available on the Virtual platform.
Teaching methods
The course consists of 48 hours of classroom instruction organized over 3 modules of 16 hours each.
During module 2, there will be in-class discussions with the teacher or in small groups to deepen conceptual aspects, and two laboratory sessions, one numerical to use the QISKIT emulator and one experimental, to reproduce a quantum key distribution protocol.
Assessment methods
The final exam is oral; each student is expected to discuss, with the committee, topics covered in class, based on reading the lecture materials provided during the course.
Specifically, the final exam will assess and knowledge and skills acquired during the course, built from reading the materials provided, such as:
- the theoretical knowledge acquired on quantum information theory, communication and computation;
- the ability to describe simple quantum protocols and applications, comparing them with classical analogs;
- the knowledge about different examples of experimental realizations;
- the ability to analyze disciplinary content by recognizing its conceptual and foundational nodes.
The final grade is calculated according to the following scheme:
Grade 18-19: basic knowledge and ability to analyze only a very limited number of topics covered in the course; overall correct language.
Grade 20-25: fair knowledge and ability to analyze only a limited number of topics covered in the course; overall correct language.
Grade: 26-28: good knowledge and ability to analyze a large number of topics covered in the course; mastery of scientific language and correct use of specific terminology.
Grade: 29-30: comprehensive preparation on the topics covered in the course, demonstrating very good/excellent knowledge and ability to analyze; mastery of scientific language and correct use of specific terminology.
“Cum laude” is granted to students who demonstrate the ability to organize comparative analysis and a personal/critical reworking of the topic.
Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are urged to contact the appropriate university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) on time. The office will be responsible for proposing necessary accommodations to the affected students. Such accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance and will be evaluated in light of the learning objectives of the course.
Teaching tools
All course materials (main texts, recommended readings, lecture notes or presentations) will be available on the Virtual platform.
Office hours
See the website of Elisa Ercolessi
See the website of Francesco Minardi
See the website of Tommaso Calarco