Computer Science 590AB - 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 690BB which covers the same material. Unlike 690BB this course does not include a project as one of the assessment components and it puts more grade weight on the homework. This course counts as a CS Elective for the CS Major.

Open to senior Computer Science, Math, Electrical Engineering, and Physics majors who have received a grade of C or better in COMPSCI 412/490Q (or COMPSCI 590Q, 590QC, E&C-ENG 550, or PHYSICS 537). MEETS WITH COMPSCI 690BB. LEC 01 FOR UNDERGRADS; LEC 02 FOR GRADS. STUDENTS WHO TAKE THIS COURSE CANNOT SIMULTANEOUSLY, NOR LATER, ENROLL IN 690BB. SWAPPING BETWEEN 590AB AND 690BB IS ONLY CONSIDERED BEFORE THE END OF ADD/DROP. SEATS HELD FOR INCOMING GRADUATE STUDENT REGISTRATION. TITLE/DESCRIPTION CHANGE, EFFECTIVE SPRING 2025. THIS COURSE REQUIRES PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF THE BASICS OF QUANTUM INFORMATION. STUDENTS ENROLLING IN THIS COURSE NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE FOLLOWING CONCEPTS COVERED IN ANY OF: COMPSCI 412/490Q, COMPSCI 590Q, COMPSCI 590QC, COMPSCI 648, COMPSCI 690QC, E&C-ENG 550, E&C-ENG 650, PHYSICS 537 AND CORRESPONDING MATHEMATICAL FORMALISM: 1) PURE STATES OF QUANTUM SYSTEMS AND QUBITS IN PARTICULAR 2) PROJECTIVE MEASUREMENTS IN A BASIS 3) UNITARY TRANSFORMATIONS 4) BLOCH SPHERE REPRESENTATION OF A QUBIT 5) BASICS OF THE DENSITY MATRIX FORMALISM. THIS COURSE COUNTS TOWARD 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/academics/course-overrides