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6.896  Quantum Complexity Theory

Fall 2008

Instructor: Scott Aaronson

Lecture:  TR2.30-4  (26-314)        

Information: 

This course is an introduction to quantum computational complexity theory, the study of the fundamental capabilities and limitations of quantum computers. Topics include quantum complexity classes, quantum lower bounds, quantum communication complexity, quantum proofs and advice, quantum interactive proof systems, postselected quantum computing, classical simulation of quantum circuits, and more depending on student interest. The goal is to bring students to the research frontier.

Prerequisites: No prior knowledge of quantum mechanics is assumed. Open to students who have taken a previous course on computational complexity theory (such as 6.840), OR a previous course on quantum computing and information (such as 2.111 or 18.435).

Units: 3-0-9. Qualifies as a Theoretical Computer Science Engineering Concentration subject.

Requirements: 2-3 psets, scribe notes, and a reading or research project.

Instructor: S. Aaronson (aaronson@csail.mit.edu, www.scottaaronson.com, 32-G638).  Office hours: Monday 1-3PM.

TA: Yinmeng Zhang (ynz@mit.edu, 32-G614).  Office hours: Wednesday 3-5PM.

Announcements

Project presentations in 32-D507 (note unusual room!)

OK, here's what we have for the presentations on Tuesday, December 9:

2:20PM Josh Horowitz
2:30PM Brendan
2:40PM Sam McVeety
2:50PM Raul & Andrea
3:00PM David Gosset
3:10PM Andy & Jing
3:20PM Alex Arkhipov
3:30PM Jessica
3:40PM Buro Mookerji
3:50PM Kai-Min Chung & Jia Zheng

If you're taking the course for credit and your name is not here, please email Scott ASAP.  We've reserved room 32-D507, on the 5th floor of Dreyfoos tower in Stata, which has PowerPoint capability.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Announced on 25 November 2008  4:40  p.m. by Scott Aaronson

Scott's office hours this week moved to Friday the 21st, 1-3PM

Announced on 17 November 2008  11:53  a.m. by Scott Aaronson

Class cancelled next Thursday: "Difficult Problems in Quantum" conference

Hi everyone,

Next Wednesday and Thursday, the 19th and 20th, MIT will be hosting a conference on "Difficult Problems in Quantum Information Theory" (in room 36-428), which will have numerous talks directly related to 6.896.  (As far as I know, there will be no follow-up conference on "Trivial Problems in Quantum Information Theory.")  See here:

http://www.rle.mit.edu/xqit/conference_2008.htm

for the conference website and here

http://www.rle.mit.edu/xqit/xqit-schedule.html

for the schedule.  The conference is open to everyone, and I'd strongly encourage you to attend at least some of the talks if you're interested.  Because of the conference, there will be no class next Thursday (the 20th).

Best, Scott

Announced on 13 November 2008  8:34  p.m. by Scott Aaronson

Scott's office hours the week of Oct. 27th will be on Wednesday the 29th, from 1 to 2:30PM

(Because of the FOCS conference)

Announced on 25 October 2008  8:04  p.m. by Scott Aaronson

Due date for pset2 moved to Tuesday, Oct. 14

I'd forgotten that Monday is a holiday -- sorry about that!

Announced on 11 October 2008  2:41  p.m. by Scott Aaronson

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