An introduction to quantum information theory and its applications in computing/communication.

• Grant number: 22/15115-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Prates Machado
• Grantee: Gabriel Alves de Lima Guimarães
• Host Institution: Instituto de Matemática e Estatística (IME). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/10555-0 - Stochastic modeling of interacting systems, AP.TEM

Abstract

In this project we will study basic principles of computation and quantum information theory, areas of science that are located at the interface between quantum mechanics and computer science. Quantum computing and classical computing are not distinct disciplines. In reality, quantum computing is more general, as any classical algorithm can be, in principle, implemented in a quantum computer.Quantum mechanics presents itself as a new paradigm for computing through phenomena with no classical analogues. In 1982, Richard Feynman published an article entitled "Simulating physics with computers", where he questioned the efficiency of classical computers in simulating quantum physical systems and proposed a simple model of a quantum computer. The simulation of physical systems would become one of the main areas of interest for the application of quantum computing and several experiments have already been carried out using quantum simulators, for example, in the area of ultracold atoms. More applications were found in the following decades, in areas such as cryptography and communication protocols, and there is an expectation that the realization of viable quantum computers can contribute to many other areas of science.These areas have experienced great theoretical and experimental advances in recent decades and, as a result, have become targets of great interest for private and public organizations, such as IBM, Google, Microsoft and the US Government itself. The objective of this project is to introduce the student to the fundamentals of quantum information and computation, as well as the main known results and techniques. Being a recent field, quantum computing requires knowledge in different topics that are not taught in the current curriculum of the bachelor's degree in physics and the project aims to prepare the student so that, in the future, he can deepen himself in the area, for example, in a graduate program.