Seminar: The theory of quantum information - Channels, Capacities, and all that

Abstract

Information theory offers mathematically precise theory of communication and data storage that guided and fueled the information age. Initially, quantum effects were thought to be an annoying source of noise, but we have since learned that they offer new capabilities and vast opportunities. Quantum information theory seeks to identify, quantify, and ultimately harness these capabilities. A basic resource in this context is a noisy quantum communication channel, and a central goal is to figure out its capacities - what can you do with it? I’ll highlight the new and fundamentally quantum aspects that arise here, such as the role of entanglement, ways to quantify it, and bizarre new kinds of synergies between resources. These ideas elucidate the nature of communication in a quantum context, as well as revealing new facets of quantum theory itself.

Bio

Graeme Stewart Baird Smith got his PhD from the California Institute of Technology in 2006 studying the theory of quantum information. He spent time in Bristol and IBM Research until joining JILA and the University of Colorado Boulder in 2016. He’s interested broadly in the theory of quantum information and quantum computing.