99247 - QUANTUM SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students will acquire the basic notions about the main physical systems and the experimental methods used to create the quantum technologies at the heart of the second quantum revolution. The students will become familiar with physical systems to create qubits and platforms for quantum computing, sensing, simulations and communication, spanning from optical to atomic and solid states systems. In addition, the students will learn about the main experimental techniques to manipulate qubits, engineer quantum superpositions and make use of entanglement.

Course contents

· Quantum computers and simulators:

- physical realizations of the qubit with solid-state and atomic systems

- superconducting circuits, nuclear end electron magnetic resonances, ions and neutral atoms;

- unitary operations on the single qubit and logical gates with two qubits;

- initialization and detection.

· Quantum Sensing:

- underlying principles of sensing elements: resonance and interference;

- sensing by resonance: optical clocks, nitrogen-vacancy in diamond;

- sensing by interference: squid, atomic interferometers;

- entanglement-enhanced sensitivity.

Readings/Bibliography

Block 1 - Prof. F. Minardi: online notes with bibliography

Block 2 - Prof. S. Sanna: Ray LaPierre, “Introduction to Quantum Computing”, Springer Int. Publishing

Teaching methods

Front lectures

Assessment methods

Oral exam.

The exam of approximately 30 minutes consists on several questions on both parts of the program. The exam is sufficient only if the preparation is sufficient on both parts.

The grade is determined according to the following criteria:

grades 18-21: the student shows a basic knowledge of the topics, with significant flaws in their preparation;

grades 22-26: the student shows has a good knowledge of the topics, with a few shortcoming in their preparation;

grades 27-30: the student shows a very good knowledge, with minor shortcomings, if any, in their preparation;

grade 30 cum laude: the students shows an excellent knowledge, with no shorcomings, and excellent presentation skills.

Teaching tools

Modulo 1, prof. Minardi: lectures written in class on tablet with projected screen

Modulo 2, prof. Sanna: powerpoint slides

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Minardi

See the website of Samuele Sanna