Computer Science 590AB - Quantum Cryptography and Comm

The ability to transmit quantum information over long distances will enable implementation of many fascinating quantum communication tasks and provide us with novel capabilities that reach beyond what we can do over classical Internet alone. Examples of such tasks include blind quantum computing, clock synchronization or distributed quantum computing. Quantum cryptography is one family of such tasks with the most famous one being quantum key distribution. This task, which is currently the most mature quantum technology, enables distribution of shared keys through a protocol that is information-theoretically secure and whose security remarkably is guaranteed by the laws of quantum physics. Such unconditional security cannot be achieved in the classical world. In the first part, the course will introduce the world of quantum cryptographic protocols and describe how the power of quantum mechanics can enable distribution of shared secret keys even with untrusted devices. It will also introduce many other fascinating quantum protocols beyond quantum key distribution. In the second part we will learn about the uniquely quantum challenges of transmitting quantum information over long distances. We will then study how to overcome them using different types of the so-called "quantum repeaters". We will finish by investigating the fundamental limits of quantum communication over practical noisy channels and we will use this framework for assessing quantum repeater performance. This course counts as a CS Elective for the CS Major (BA or BS).

Open to graduate Computer Science students only. LECT 01 FOR UNDERGRADS; LECT 02 FOR GRADS. SEATS HELD FOR INCOMING GRADUATE STUDENT REGISTRATION. THERE WILL BE CERTAIN OVERLAP WITH COMPSCI 490Q QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE. WHILE COMPSCI 590AB BUILDS ON SOME OF THE CONCEPTS INTRODUCED IN 490Q, IT INTRODUCES ALL OF THEM INDEPENDENTLY SO NO KNOWLEDGE OF QUANTUM INFORMATION IS NECESSARY, THOUGH IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. THIS COURSE COUNTS TOWARDS THE MS SECURITY CONCENTRATION AND THE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN INFORMATION SECURITY. MATH, PHYSICS, AND EE GRADUATE STUDENTS SHOULD REQUEST AN OVERRIDE FOR CONSIDERATION. STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL PERMISSION MUST REQUEST OVERRIDES VIA THE ON-LINE FORM: https://www.cics.umass.edu/overrides.