41172 Quantum Information Theory
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 41076 Methods in Quantum Computing
Description
In this subject, students will develop advanced capability in the core concepts of Quantum Information Theory. Quantum Information Theory is the quantum generalization of Information Theory and provides the mathematical language underpinning quantum computing and information science. In this subject, students will learn about entropy, entanglement, and the uncertainty principle, and how they can be used for secure communication, and eventually a novel 'quantum' internet. Along the way the students will become familiar with different advanced mathematical techniques that are important in all areas of quantum information theory.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Discuss cutting-edge issues in quantum information, based on personal research. (E.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Show proficiency in mathematical techniques in quantum information theory. (D.1) |
| 3. | Collaborate to solve challenging mathematical problems in quantum information theory. (E.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
This course combines lectures, online materials, group activities and individual learning experiences. Each week there will be a 2 hour in-class lecture, interspersed with interactive elements (questions, short quizzes). Course notes will be made available online each week, and supplementary video and other materials will be provided to assist in self-learning.
Each week there will be a 1-hour tutorial/group learning session where weekly group assignment tasks will be discussed and assessed.
In the second-half of the semester, students will present practice presentations for assessment task 2, their research paper presentation and receive feedback from the instructor.
Group work: The students are encouraged to solve the weekly exercise sheets in teams and the exercise sheets can be handed in as teams.
Research skills: The students develop advanced mathematical skills, aided by the lecture, tutorials, online materials, and lecture notes.
Content (topics)
In this subject, students will learn about how to mathematically model the abstract notion of 'information' and how to use it to design communication systems. We will start from Shannon’s original information theory and learn about his pivotal results on noiseless and noisy coding. We will generalize these ideas to quantum information, where we further learn about entanglement and the uncertainty principle, and how they can be used for secure communication, and eventually a novel 'quantum' internet. Along the way the students will get familiar with different advanced mathematical techniques that are important in many areas of quantum information theory.
The following concepts will be covered:
- Classical entropies and mutual information
- Classical data compression and noisy channel coding
- Metrics for quantum states and channels
- Entropy in quantum information
- Coding for quantum channels
- Randomness extraction
- Conjugate bases and uncertainty
- Quantum key distribution
- Entanglement theory
- Quantum internet
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Exercise sheets
| Intent: | Students will learn how to tackle challenging mathematical problems in quantum information theory while collaborating in a group environment. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | As per learning contract defined in the first lecture |
Assessment task 2: Presentation of research paper
| Intent: | Learn how to summarise and present research papers and discuss technical aspects of quantum information theory. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 15 minutes |
Assessment task 3: Oral examination
| Intent: | Assess proficiency in the techniques of quantum information theory. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 10-20 minutes |
Minimum requirements
To pass this subject, students must achieve an overall mark of 50% or greater.