Theoretical Foundations of Quantum Technologies

This course will provide the background theory relevant to Quantum Technologies.

Part I (3 lectures, Jonathan Pritchard) – Basic Atomic Physics: Historical introduction to atomic physics, Angular momentum; Atomic structure; Atom-light interactions.

Part II (3 lectures, John Jeffers) – Basic Photonic Quantum Optics: Field quantisation, single-mode fields and quantum states; beam splitters and interferometers; non-classical light and its generation.

Part III (3 lectures, Sarah Croke) – Applications of Quantum Information: Quantum key distribution, Quantum sensing; Qubits, classical and quantum gates; introduction to quantum algorithms.

Hours Equivalent Credit: 20

Physical Systems for Quantum Technologies

SUPA enrolment choices

This course will provide an introduction to physical systems and experimental techniques relevant to Quantum Technologies.

Part I (3 lectures, Paul Griffin) – Atoms: Laser cooling and atomic clocks; Atoms in optical lattices; Rydberg atoms in tweezers for quantum computation;

Part II (2 lectures, Sam Bayliss) Spin Qubits: Spin-light interfaces; Physical systems; Initialisation, readout and control of spin qubits; Applications to quantum sensing and quantum networks;

Part III (2 lectures, Alessandro Fedrizzi) – Photonics;

Part IV (2 lectures, Martin Weides) – Superconducting Qubits: Quantum circuits, materials and interfacing concepts.