Quantum computation uses quantum mechanical phenomena to perform operations on data measured by qubits. It is part of quantum information processing, which has the potential to revolutionize our methods of securing, processing, storing, retrieving, transmitting and displaying information. A quantum computer can implement new algorithms, to perform e.g. rapid integer factorization, thereby threatening current cryptosystems, and quicker database searches. Practical difficulties have limited us to seven qubit computers so far, but the possibilities of this emerging technology have led to many centers, learned and popular articles, and even the movie "Timeline". In this workshop, three experts in the theoretical, experimental, and engineering aspects of quantum computation will take us from basics to cutting-edge.

Remark: This workshop was held on February 10, 2005 as part of the Computational Sciences Lecture Series (CSLS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

By Prof. Richard Cleve (University of Waterloo, Canada)

(Slides are not available) | Video [WMV]

ABSTRACT: A quantum computer is an information processing device that harnesses the strange power of quantum mechanics: it can exist in several states simultaneously and its computation paths can interfere with each other. Following a brief introduction to quantum information, the talk will review developments in quantum algorithms and various notions of communication with quantum information.

By Dr. David DiVincenzo (IBM Watson Research Center, USA)

Slides of talk [PDF] | Video [WMV]

ABSTRACT: Some very hard things have to happen in the laboratory to make even rudimentary quantum information processing a reality. I will give a report "from the trenches" to give some idea of how you start from scratch -- in a state of the art solid state physics lab -- and try to make a working qubit. I will also give a point of view on progress on other fronts where things seem to be going better, in particular in the atomic physics lab.

By Prof. Seth Lloyd (MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)

(Slides are not available) | Video [WMV]

ABSTRACT: Existing quantum computers and quantum communication systems operate at the fundamental performance limits posed by the laws of physics. This talk reviews the physical limits to quantum information processing, and explores the future of the field.