Lecture 2 : An Introduction to Quantum Error Correction

Talk Timings: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM IST, September 4, 2021

Abstract:

In this lecture, we will give a brief introduction to the theory of quantum error correcting codes (QECCs). We first briefly motivate the need for quantum error correction and its challenges. Then using three important quantum codes as vehicles, we will introduce the theory of stabilizer codes, and present their connections to classical codes. We will then conclude with the application of quantum codes for fault tolerant quantum computing.

Lecture outline:

1) Three important quantum codes: Bit flip code, Shor code and Steane code 

2) General theory: Knill Laflamme conditions, and stabilizer codes

3) A bridge to the classical world: CSS construction of quantum codes

4) The decoding problem: Correcting the errors (efficiently)

5) Fault tolerance: Encoded computations, and threshold theorem 

Bio:

Pradeep Kiran Sarvepalli is an Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. His research interests are quantum and classical error correcting codes, quantum cryptography, quantum computation, and coding for distributed storage. He graduated with a PhD in Computer Science from Texas A&M University in 2008. He also holds a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a B.Tech. degree in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He held Postdoctoral Fellowships in the University of British Columbia and Georgia Institute of Technology. He also worked as an IC Design Engineer in Texas Instruments India, Bangalore.