Building Quantum Computers

by Emanual H. Knill

NIST Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division in Boulder, CO

Date

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Time

2:30 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.

Place

Lindley Hall, Rm. 101

Abstract: In theory, quantum computers can be used to efficiently factor numbers, quadratically speed up many search and optimization problems, and enable currently impossible physics simulations. At first, quantum states appeared to be too fragile for implementing large quantum computers. Fortunately, because of theoretical advances in quantum error correction and fault tolerance, there are now no fundamental obstacles to realizing quantum computers. However, building quantum computers is difficult. Current experiments can barely achieve adequate control of two quantum bits. Nevertheless, the gap between theoretical and practical quantum computing is closing. I will discuss the status and challenges of theoretical and experimental quantum computing.

Biography: Emanuel (Manny) Knill, a distinguished mathematician in the NIST Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division in Boulder and APS fellow, has made fundamental contributions to our understanding of the control and manipulation of quantum systems, including quantum error correction, determination of tolerable error rates, and linear optics quantum computing. He got his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and has worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory during the period 1992-2003, where he built an NMR quantum computer. He is now trying to build an ion trap quantum information device at NIST.
 

He has been elected a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) "for fundamental contributions to our understanding of the control and manipulation of quantum systems, including quantum error correction, determination of tolerable error rates, and linear optics quantum computing." The APS's Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics recommended the nomination, which was conferred at the APS meeting in March 2006. Fellowship in the APS is limited to no more than one-half of one percent of APS membership.

A printable version of the colloquium flyer is available for printing. 

Colloquium Provided By:

the School of Informatics