What is it?
The Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing (USEQIP) is a two-week program, running June 3 – 14, 2024 (applications for 2024 are now closed), on the theoretical and experimental study of quantum information aimed primarily at students one year away from completing their undergraduate studies. The lectures and experiments are geared toward students in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science, though all interested students are invited to apply.
- The program has space for 30 students.
- Accommodations and meals are covered, and bursaries are available for travel expenses.
- All visiting the University of Waterloo campus must follow the university's COVID-19 safety protocols.
- Applications for USEQIP 2024 are due Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. References are due Monday, January 8, 2024.
The summer school is staffed by the faculty of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), a multi-disciplinary research centre at the University of Waterloo and an internationally recognized leader in the field of quantum information processing. Hear from USEQIP alum about their own experiences.
What is covered?
The two-week program consists of lectures introducing quantum information theory and experimental approaches to quantum devices, followed by 30+ hours of hands-on exploration of Quantum Information Processing (QIP) using the experimental facilities at the institute.
During the program you will be exposed to lectures and experiments on the following topics and more.
Quantum information processing
- Quantum algorithms
- Quantum error correction
- Quantum cryptography
- Foundations of quantum mechanics
Implementations of quantum information processing
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
- Electron spin in quantum dots
- Superconducting qubits
- Quantum optics
- Decoherence modeling
- Quantum sensors and actuators
Experimental exploration
- Quantum control and decoherence in NMR
- Attempted Bell-inequality violation and Mach-Zehnder interferometry
- Investigation of single-photon detectors
- Superconductivity
- Fabrication of nano-scale devices in IQC's state-of-the-art cleanroom
- Quantum key distribution
- Design, optimize and implementation of a two-qubit quantum algorithm
Students interested in pursuing a summer research award at IQC are encouraged to indicate so on their USEQIP application. We will do our best to accommodate requests for research positions, but please note that an acceptance to USEQIP does not guarantee a subsequent summer research position.
Please refer to our FAQs page if you have any questions. Email iqc-useq@uwaterloo.ca if you require additional information.