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The Open University

Introduction to quantum computing

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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Quantum computing is a developing field withenormous potential societal and economic impact. In the future, quantumcomputers will enable us to solve a range of complex problems that arecurrently intractable, potentially revolutionising key sectors includingmedicine, finance and the pharmaceutical industry. In this free course you willlearn how quantum computers exploit quantum mechanical properties likesuperposition and entanglement to deliver a computational power that goes waybeyond the ability of classical computers. You will learn how different typesof quantum gates act on qubits and analyse simple quantum circuits for yourself.This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course SM380 Quantum physics: fundamentals and applications. This content forms part of the Dangoor Education collection, the educational arm of The Exilarch's Foundation.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • Why quantum computing?
  • 1.1 What can classical computers do?
  • 1.2 What can quantum computers do?
  • Background mathematics and terminology
  • 2.1 Matrix multiplication
  • 2.2 Finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a two multiplication two matrix
  • 2.3 Complex numbers
  • 2.4 Operators and superposition
  • Setting the scene in quantum physics
  • 3.1 Spin-½ particles
  • 3.2 Representing a general spin state
  • 3.3 Spin observables
  • 3.4 Two-particle spin states
  • 3.5 Entanglement
  • Classical computing
  • 4.1 Classical bits and logic gates
  • 4.2 Classical Boolean gates
  • Qubits and quantum gates
  • 5.1 Defining a qubit
  • 5.2 Single qubit gates
  • 5.2.1 The NOT gate
  • 5.2.2 The Hadamard gate
  • 5.2.3 Sequences of gates
  • 5.3 Two-qubit gates
  • 5.3.1 Two-qubit states
  • 5.3.2 How the CNOT gate works
  • 5.4 Quantum circuits
  • 5.4.1 Circuits with multiple gates
  • 5.4.2 Measurements
  • 5.4.3 Activity
  • Real-world quantum computing
  • 6.1 Schrödinger’s cat
  • 6.2 A few examples of quantum technologies
  • Summary
  • 7 Summary
  • 8 Quiz
  • Acknowledgements

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4.9 rating at OpenLearn based on 9 ratings

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