Quantum optics and quantum information

Summary

This lecture describes advanced concepts and applications of quantum optics. It emphasizes the connection with ongoing research, and with the fast growing field of quantum technologies. The topics cover some aspects of quantum information processing, quantum sensing and quantum simulation.

Content

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Quantum Electrodynamics and quantum optics (Fall semester) or equivalent (see prerequisites below).

Important concepts to start the course

Good understanding of the two-level system and the harmonic oscillator in quantum mechanics, unitary transformations, canonical quantization of the electromagnetic field

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Perform calculations relevant to quantum optics
• Explore the scientific litterature in quantum optics and quantum information

Transversal skills

• Make an oral presentation.
• Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools

Teaching methods

Video lectures, tutorials and exercise solved in the class, computer simulations. Mini-conferences with student presentations of research papers.

Assessment methods

Written examination

Resources

Bibliography

For a review of the basics of quantum optics

• Grynberg, Aspect and Fabre, Introduction to Quantum Optics

Core litterature for the course

• Haroche, Raimond, Exploring the quantum
• Chuang, Nielsen, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information

Further bibliographic elements on specific topics during the lectures and as exercises.

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Grynberg, Aspect and Fabre, Introduction to Quantum Optics
• Chuang, Nielsen, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information
• Haroche, Raimond, Exploring the quantum

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/PHYS-454