QAQC

Quantum algorithms and the foundations of quantum computation

Coordinatore	LATVIJAS UNIVERSITATE    more  Organization address address: RAINIS BOULEVARD 19 city: RIGA postcode: 1586 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Juris Cognome: Borzovs Email: send email Telefono: -67034119 Fax: -7619202
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Latvia [LV]
Totale costo	100˙000 €
EC contributo	100˙000 €
Programma	FP7-PEOPLE Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG
Funding Scheme	MC-IRG
Anno di inizio	2008
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2008-05-01   -   2012-04-30

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	LATVIJAS UNIVERSITATE  Organization address address: RAINIS BOULEVARD 19 city: RIGA postcode: 1586 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Juris Cognome: Borzovs Email: send email Telefono: -67034119 Fax: -7619202	LV (RIGA)	coordinator	0.00

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Quantum computing (and, more broadly, quantum information science) is a new area at the frontier of both computer science and physics. The laws of quantum mechanics are profoundly different from conventional physics. Quantum computing studies how to use them for the purposes of computer science and information processing. Quantum computing (and, more broadly, quantum infromation science) has seen tremendous progress in the last 15 years, both on its theoretical side (with Shor's quantum algorithm for factoring and Grover's quantum search algorithm) and experimental side (with small scale prototypes for quantum computers and commercially available systems for quantum cryptography). We plan to address the following questions: - What problems can we solve on a quantum computer (besides factoring and search)? More generally, can we isolate general principles for designing quantum algorithms? - What are the problems that {em cannot} be solved by a quantum computer? Which of the conventionally hard problems remain hard, even if quantum computers are available? - What are the fundamental properties of quantum states and what insights do they provide for quantum computing? In particular, we plan to study randomness and pseudorandomness in the quantum world.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Quantum computing is in its infancy but thanks to European initiatives, it is maturing very quickly. The QAQC project is making sure we can all take advantage of quantum computing wizardry in the very near future.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Quantum computing promises to revolutionise computing as we know it. Differing from the standard computer in our homes and offices, the quantum computer relies on properties of atomic particles. Data is therefore stored and manipulated using sub-atomic particles instead of silicon.

Quantum properties can be used to represent data and perform operations on data such as factoring. It would take a supercomputer billions of years to find the component parts or factors of a 400 digit number. Scientists believe a quantum computer will be able to do this in just a few minutes.

Another enormous job for the quantum computer is searching. The search function uses a quantum algorithm, a rule that specifies how to solve a problem, to search an unsorted database much faster than its classical counterparts.

On a grander scale, factoring and associated mathematical principles concerning so-called logarithms can be used for encryption, or code making and breaking. As quantum computers can be used for factoring where traditional computers cannot, it follows that today's data encryptions used for systems security will be made insecure.

The QAQC project is aiming to investigate the applications of quantum computers apart from factors and search. The researchers are also attempting to answer the question as to what problems cannot be handled by quantum computers even assuming they become available. The further mysteries of quantum states will also be put under the physics and maths microscope.

So far, the results are encouraging. New algorithms have been developed and a new method for proving properties of algorithms has been outlined. Furthermore, a breakthrough has been made in the area of combinatorics, the branch of maths to do with finding the largest, smallest or optimal objects, again too large a task for the standard computer.

QAQC results are going to contribute to as yet uncharted areas such as new global positioning systems with a degree of precision once unthinkable and the design of drugs to the last atom. Recognition of patterns in highly complex data can make the transfer of money ultra-secure. One way or another, the quantum computer will infringe on every area of our lives without us even being aware.