Math 410-01. Introduction to Quantum Computing, Fall 2025

Instructor: Chi-Kwong Li

Office: Jones 128, Tel: 221-2042
E-mail: ckli@math.wm.edu, http://cklixx.people.wm.edu

Meeting time, format, office hours.

• TR 9:30 - 10:50 a.m. Boswell 4.
• Office hours: Wednesday TWT 11:00 a.m.- noon or by appointment.

Course description:

Quantum information science is a rapidly growing area. Quantum cryptography is in commercial use, and the construction of practical quantum computer still require a lot of research from different disciplines including mathematics, physics, computer science, chemistry, engineering, material science, etc.

In this course, an introduction of the subject will be given based on the book.

Eleanor G. Rieffel, Wolfgang H. Polak, Quantum Computing A Gentle Introduction, MIT Press, 2021.

We will cover topics including: basic linear algebra background, the mathematical framework for quantum mechanics, qubits and quantum key distributions, quantum gates and quantum circuits in quantum computing, quantum integral transforms, quantum algorithms of Deutsch, Joza, Grover and Shor, decoherence, quantum error correction, DiVinzenzo criteria, physical realizations. Current research problems will be mentioned. Here are some other useful reference books.

• Nielsen and Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information Science, Cambridge.
• Nakahara and Ohmi, Quantum computing: From Linear Algebra to Physical Realizations, CRC Press.
• Watrous, The Theory of Quantum Information, Cambridge.
• Yanofsky and Mannucci, Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists, Cambridge.
• The Functional Analysis of Quantum Information Theory a collection of notes based on lectures by Gilles Pisier, K. R. Parthasarathy, Vern Paulsen and Andreas Winter. https://arxiv.org/pdf/1410.7188.pdf

Problem sets

• There will be 10-12 problems sets assigned weekly. Texfiles of the problems will be put on the blackboard site. Pdf files of the solutions will be uploaded to the blackboard after the due dates.
• Challenging problems will be assigned from time to time, extra-credits will be given to successful (or partially successful) attempts.
• Help will be provided during office hours or group homework sessions.
• You have to use LaTex to typset mathematical document, an excellent skill to acquire. You may go to overleaf to use the online program for the typesetting.

 
                  Homework 60%       Final Exam. (Dec. 12, 9:00-noon)  40%
             
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