ECE 404: Quantum Information Processing, FA 2025

Description – This course introduces the basic concepts and principles underlying quantum computing and quantum communication theory.  Roughly 1/3 of the course is devoted to teaching the necessary mathematical tools and principles of quantum information processing, 1/3 to quantum communication, and 1/3 to entanglement theory.  The specific topics covered in this course are chosen to reflect areas of high interest within the research community over the past two decades.  The student will be expected to perform detailed mathematical calculations and construct proofs.  By the end of the semester, the student should be equipped with enough background and technical skill set to begin participating in quantum information research.

Lectures – Tuesday / Thursday 9:00AM – 10:20 AM in room TBD.

Prerequisites – PHYS 214, MATH 257 (or linear algebra equivalent), ECE 313 (or probability/statistics equivalent)

Textbook – The primary course material will be presented in detailed power point slides.  A supplemental textbook is Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by M.A. Nielsen and I.L. Chuang.  A suggested reference for linear algebra is Linear Algebra Done Right by Sheldon Axler.  A digital version of this book can be accessed here. using your university ID.

Instructor – Prof. Eric Chitambar (echitamb@illinois.edu).

TA – TBD

Office Hours – There will be two office hours each week.  The TA will hold an office hour in ECEB at a time TBD.  The instructor will hold a virtual office hour at a time TBD.  Outside of office hours, questions and comments can be posted on the course discussion board.

Grading – Grades will be based on homework (25%), two exams (25% each), and one final (25%).  Homeworks will be posted every other Monday and due at 11:59PM one week from the Friday after it is posted.  No late homework will be accepted unless special arrangements have been made in advance with the instructor.  While collaboration is encouraged, each student must submit his/her own work.

Four Credit Option – This course can be taken for four credits.  The additional credit requires writing a review paper on a quantum information research article.  The paper should be at least six pages in length and provide a background discussion of the article, a derivation of the major results, and a conclusion describing future areas of research.  Students are expected to search the literature and find one or two research papers of interest.  These must then be submitted to the instructor for approval before writing the report.  Assistance can be provided in choosing a paper if needed.  The deadline for paper approval is October 31.  The final report must be submitted by December 18.

Course Outline –