Certificate Program in Quantum Science, Networking, and Communications

The first week focuses on the fundamentals and principles of quantum information. Students will learn about the different types of application protocols for quantum networks and the mathematical formalism of qubits, Bloch sphere, and quantum evolution. Key topics include:

• Prominent quantum communication tasks such as quantum key distribution (QKD), blind quantum computing, clock synchronization, secret sharing, and long-baseline telescopy
• Quantum systems like finite-dimensional vector spaces, kets/bras, and unitary and Hermitian matrices 
• Qubits as the basic building block of quantum information systems, Pauli operators, and the Bloch sphere representation of qubits

Expanding on the previous week’s lesson, students will learn how to compute expectation values for quantum measurements on entangled systems and to understand the density matrix and basic noise models. Key topics include: 

• Born’s rule for quantum measurement
• Entangled systems and gates
• The density matrix and mixed versus pure states

The third module focuses on the basics of quantum programming. Students will learn how to use Qiskit programming software. They will design quantum circuits and remotely implement them on IBM hardware. Through hands-on programming, students will learn basic quantum algorithms. Key topics include:

• Simon's Algorithm and Grover's Algorithm 
• Quantum circuit model 
• Qiskit syntax

The fourth module focuses on quantum communications. Students will learn the properties of quantum entanglement, the use of quantum entanglement in quantum communication, and communication primitives such as superdense coding, teleportation, and quantum key distribution. Key topics include:

• Bell states and Bell measurements
• Superdense coding and teleportation like entanglement-enhanced communication tasks
• Quantum key distribution in the BB84 protocol and entanglement-based schemes (measurement device-independent QKD)

The fifth module expands on the quantum communications concepts introduced the previous week. Students will learn how to explain the principles of entanglement swapping, how quantum repeaters work, and the basic concepts of entanglement purification. Key topics include:  

• Entanglement fidelity and recurrence protocol
• Quantum error correction and entanglement distribution
• Achieving long-distance quantum communication

The sixth module focuses on quantum network hardware. Students will learn about the essential components of a quantum network and how they function together. They will connect theoretical protocols with hardware deployment and explore the different types of physical systems used to encode qubits and perform quantum communication. Key topics include:

• Network components such as memories, repeaters, photon sources, detectors, and interconnects
• Physical systems such as photons, SC qubits, atoms, and color centers
• Standard performance metrics for network devices such as coherence times, channel loss, detector efficiency, and transmission fidelity

The final module focuses on quantum network protocols and simulation. Students will learn how to apply all the components of the course in a simulation of a multi-node quantum network. Key topics include:

• The effects of noise and decoherence on quantum communication protocols
• Realistic quantum networks and syntax for SeQUeNCe simulator
• Working through a multi-step protocol of teleportation or QKD by specifying memory fidelity

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is an intellectual hub for advancing the science and engineering of quantum information between the CQE community, across the Midwest, and around the globe.

A catalyst for research activity across its member and partner institutions, the CQE is based at the University of Chicago and is anchored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Northwestern University.

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The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. In the University of Chicago tradition of rigorous inquiry, we ask crucial scientific questions that have real-world implications. Our work applies molecular-level science to the design of advanced devices, processes, and technologies. Organized by interdisciplinary research themes, we aim to develop solutions to urgent societal problems, such as water and energy resources, information security, and human health.

The program was established as the Institute for Molecular Engineering in 2011 by the University in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. In 2019, in recognition of the institute’s success, impact and expansion, and the support of the Pritzker Foundation, the institute was elevated to the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering—the first school in the nation dedicated to this emerging field.

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The NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN) features three quantum testbeds that will collaboratively develop the technology needed to assemble a hybrid quantum processor and network. Each laboratory is designed with multiple kinds of quantum hardware, which will be used to demonstrate distributed quantum processing and communication protocols. The program integrates engineering, computing, and physics expertise to achieve HQAN’s scientific, technology, and education goals. The HQAN center also includes workforce development initiatives that will inspire and train students who will contribute to the future quantum technology and innovation ecosystem.

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