Computer Science 690BB - Quantum Cryptography

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 this course we 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. The course will meet jointly with the course 590AB which covers the same material.

Open to graduate Computer Science students only. MEETS WITH COMPSCI 590AB. SEATS HELD FOR INCOMING GRADUATE STUDENT REGISTRATION. STUDENTS WHO TAKE THIS COURSE CANNOT SIMULTANEOUSLY, NOR LATER, ENROLL IN 590AB. SWAPPING BETWEEN 590AB AND 690BB IS ONLY CONSIDERED BEFORE THE END OF ADD/DROP. THERE WILL BE CERTAIN OVERLAP WITH COMPSCI 490Q QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE AND COMPSCI 690Q QUANTUM INFORMATION SYSTEMS. WHILE THIS COURSE BUILDS ON SOME OF THE CONCEPTS INTRODUCED IN THOSE COURSES, IT INTRODUCES ALL OF THEM INDEPENDENTLY SO NO KNOWLEDGE OF QUANTUM INFORMATION IS NECESSARY, THOUGH IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. 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/academics/course-overrides