Future graduate students

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

IQC Student Seminar Featuring Senrui Chen, University of Chicago

Tight bounds for Pauli channel learning with and without entanglement

Quantum Nano Centre, 200 University Ave West, Room QNC 1201
Waterloo, ON CA N2L 3G1

Quantum entanglement is a crucial resource for learning properties from nature, but a precise characterization of its advantage can be challenging. In this work, we consider learning algorithms without entanglement as those that only utilize separable states, measurements, and operations between the main system of interest and an ancillary system. Interestingly, these algorithms are equivalent to those that apply quantum circuits on the main system interleaved with mid-circuit measurements and classical feedforward. Within this setting, we prove a tight lower bound for Pauli channel learning without entanglement that closes the gap between the best-known upper bound. In particular, we show that Θ(n^2/ε^2) rounds of measurements are required to estimate each eigenvalue of an n-qubit Pauli channel to ε error with high probability when learning without entanglement. In contrast, a learning algorithm with entanglement only needs Θ(1/ε^2) copies of the Pauli channel. Our results strengthen the foundation for an entanglement-enabled advantage for Pauli noise characterization. We will talk about ongoing experimental progress in this direction.

Reference: Mainly based on [arXiv: 2309.13461]

Monday, February 5, 2024 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Achieving quantum sensing limits in noisy environment

IQC Colloquium - Sisi Zhou, The Perimeter Institute

Quantum-Nano Centre, 200 University Ave West, Room QNC 0101 Waterloo, ON CA N2L 3G1

 Quantum metrology studies estimation of unknown parameters in quantum systems. The Heisenberg limit of estimation precision 1/N, with N being the number of probes, is the ultimate sensing limit allowed by quantum mechanics that quadratically outperforms the classically-achievable standard quantum limit 1/√N. The Heisenberg limit is attainable using multi-probe entanglement in the ideal, noiseless case. However, in presence of noise, many quantum systems only allow a constant factor of improvement over the standard quantum limit. To elucidate the noise effect in quantum metrology, we prove a necessary and sufficient condition for achieving the Heisenberg limit using quantum controls. We show that when the condition is satisfied, there exist quantum error correction protocols to achieve the Heisenberg limit; when the condition is violated, no quantum controls can break the standard quantum limit (although quantum error correction can be used to maximize the constant-factor improvement). We will also discuss the modified sensing limits when only restricted types of quantum controls can be applied. 

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Quantum Q&A with Melissa Henderson

En francais

Dr. Melissa Henderson is a researcher at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and the University of Waterloos Department of Physics and Astronomy. Her research considers the scattering of neutral particles known as neutrons, and their relation to quantum materials.

En francais

In an exhilarating convergence of education and quantum information, Quantum for Educators hosted its 9th annual class from December 1 to 3, 2023. Hosted by the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo, this professional development workshop left an indelible mark on secondary school science teachers passionate about bringing the marvels of quantum information science and technology into their classrooms.

En francais

Sometimes, new scientific discoveries can be made from looking at well-known methods or experimental techniques in new ways. This is the basis for new research from Dr. Alan Jamison, a faculty member at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and the University of Waterloo’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, and his collaborators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - Thursday, May 16, 2024 (all day)

ETSI/IQC Quantum Safe Cryptography Conference 2024

ETSI and the Institute for Quantum Computing are pleased to announce the 10th ETSI/IQC Quantum Safe Cryptography Conference, taking place in Singapore on May 14-16, 2024. The event will be hosted by the Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore.

This event was designed for members of the business, government, and research communities with a stake in cryptographic standardization to facilitate the knowledge exchange and collaboration required to transition cyber infrastructures and business practices to make them safe in an era with quantum computers. It aims to showcase both the most recent developments from industry and government and cutting-edge potential solutions coming out of the most recent research.