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Introduction to Quantum Computing

Type of study MasterFollow-up Master
Language of instruction Czech
Code 9600-0016/01
Abbreviation IQC
Course title Introduction to Quantum Computing
Credits 4
Coordinating department IT4Innovations
Course coordinator prof. RNDr. Marek Lampart, Ph.D.

Subject syllabus

Lectures:
1. Basic properties of a qubit, Bloch sphere: classical bit vs. quantum bit, qubit state, superposition, geometric representation on the Bloch sphere; examples of simple states (|0⟩, |1⟩, |+⟩).

2. Qubits and their states, Dirac notation: fundamental principles of linear algebra in quantum informatics, Dirac notation, tensor products; description of multi-qubit states, separability and quantum entanglement.

3. Reversible operations on a qubit, qubit measurement: unitary operations, Pauli matrices, Hadamard gate; measurement in the computational basis, wave function collapse, probabilistic nature of outcomes.

4. Quantum entanglement: formal definition, Bell pair states; significance of quantum entanglement for quantum algorithms and communication.

5. Deutsch–Jozsa and Bernstein–Vazirani algorithms: first demonstrative algorithms of quantum speedup; difference between classical and quantum solutions, their complexity.

6. Simon’s algorithm: problem description, solution using quantum circuits; historical significance for the development of Shor’s algorithm.

7. Grover’s algorithm: principle of quantum search; diffuser, oracle, quadratic speedup compared to classical search.

8. Quantum Fourier Transform and Shor’s algorithm: mathematical foundation of QFT, efficient implementation; Shor’s algorithm for factorization and its significance for cryptography.

9. RSA and decoding: classical cryptography, principle of RSA; application of quantum factoring to breaking RSA.

10. Introduction to quantum error correction: noise and decoherence in quantum computers; example of a simple repetition code.

11. Error diagnosis and correcting codes: syndrome measurements, principle of stabilizer codes; examples of error models and their correction.

12. Quantum cryptography and applications: BB84 protocol, quantum key distribution; simple examples of practical use of quantum communication.

Exercises:
1. Installation and first steps: installation of Qiskit and access to IBM Quantum Platform; building the first simple circuit and running it on a simulator.

2.–3. Tensor algebra and interpretation of qubits: working with simple two-qubit states; creating entangled states, visualization of results.

4. Reversible operations and measurement: implementation of Pauli gates and the Hadamard gate; measurement simulation, probabilistic distribution of outcomes.

5. Quantum entanglement in practice: generation of Bell pairs, verification of entanglement; experiments with multi-qubit states.

6. Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm: implementation of an oracle, comparison with the classical solution.

7. Bernstein–Vazirani algorithm: implementation and testing with different bit lengths.

8. Simon’s algorithm: building the oracle, finding the period using a quantum circuit.

9. Grover’s algorithm: implementation of an oracle, diffuser, and search in a small database; comparison with classical search.

10. Quantum Fourier Transform: implementation of QFT in Qiskit; analysis of complexity and outputs.

11. Shor’s algorithm: simulation of factorization of small numbers; limits of current quantum hardware.

12. Error correction and cryptography: implementation of a simple repetition code; demonstration of the BB84 protocol on a simulator.

Projects:
Individual assignment: implementation of a quantum algorithm (e.g., Grover’s, Shor’s, Simon’s, or a quantum cryptography protocol) on a selected quantum simulator or a real quantum computer (IBM Qiskit, NVIDIA CUDA-Q). The deliverables are the code, a report, and a presentation of the results.

Literature

1. MERMIN, N. D. Quantum Computer Science: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0521876582 .
2. NIELSEN, M. A.; CHUANG, I. L. Quantum Computation and Quantum Information. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN 978-1107002173.
3. KAKU, M. Kvantová revoluce: Jak kvantové počítače změní svět. Prostor, 2024.

Advised literature

1. BENENTI, G.; CASATI, G.; ROSSINI, D.; STRINI, G. Principles of Quantum Computation and Information - A Comprehensive Textbook. World Scientific, 2018.
2. STRUBELL, E. An Introduction to Quantum Algorithms. COS498 - Chawathe, 2011.
3. ABHIJITH, J. et al. Quantum Algorithm Implementations for Beginners. Los Alamos National Laboratory USA, 2018.