Dissertation Defense

The abstract for this dissertation defense is forthcoming.

*We strongly encourage attendees to use their full name (and if possible, their UMD credentials) to join the zoom session.*

Quantum computers have the theoretical potential to solve problems intractable for classical computers. However, realizing this potential requires dealing with the noise inherent in near and far-term devices. One way of doing this is to redundantly encode the quantum information in a quantum error-correcting code and manipulate the encoded states to do computation. Protecting quantum information in this way incurs additional space overhead in the form of extra qubits; this is problematic since qubits are a scarce resource, especially for near-term quantum computers.

The abstract for this dissertation defense is forthcoming.

*We strongly encourage attendees to use their full name (and if possible, their UMD credentials) to join the zoom session.*

Superconducting circuits are at the forefront of quantum computing and quantum sensing technologies, where accurate modeling and simulation are crucial for understanding and optimizing their performance. In this dissertation, we study modeling techniques and novel device designs to advance these technologies, focusing on efficient simulations, direct velocity measurement, and nonreciprocal devices for quantum information processing.

Quantum computing leverages the quantum properties of subatomic matter to enable algorithms to run faster than those possible on a regular computer. Quantum computers have become increasingly practical in recent years, with some small-scale machines available for public use. Quantum computing applications are largely dependent on the software that manipulates computations on the hardware. These applications rely on a variety of symbolic representations including quantum programs to describe and manipulate quantum information effectively.

Recently an algorithm has been constructed that shows the binary icosahedral group 2I together with a T-like gate forms the most efficient single-qubit universal gate set. To carry out the algorithm fault tolerantly requires a code that implements 2I transversally. We fill this void by constructing a family of distance d = 3 codes that all implement 2I transversally. To do this, we introduce twisted unitary t-groups, a generalization of unitary t-groups under a twisting by an irreducible representation.

The Eastin-Knill theorem shows that the transversal gates of a quantum code, which are naturally fault-tolerant, form a finite group G. We show that G is an invariant of equivalent quantum codes and thus can be considered as a well defined symmetry. This thesis studies how the symmetry G dictates the existence and parameters of quantum codes using representation theory. We focus on qubit quantum codes that have symmetry coming from finite subgroups of SU(2). We examine two different methods of deriving quantum codes from these symmetries.

This thesis explores the quantum extension of a fundamental theme in theoretical computer science: the interplay between graph theory, computational complexity, and multiprover interactive proof systems. Specifically, we examine the connections between quantum graph properties, computability theory, and entangled nonlocal games.

Statistical learning is emerging as a new paradigm in science.

This has ignited interest within our inherently quantum world in exploring quantum machines for their advantages in learning, generating, and predicting various aspects of our universe by processing both quantum and classical data. In parallel, the pursuit of scalable science through physical simulations using both digital and analog quantum computers is rising on the horizon.

Quantum simulation stands as an important application of quantum computing, offering insights into quantum many-body systems that are beyond the reach of classical computational methods. For many quantum simulation applications, accurate initial state preparation is typically the first step for subsequent computational processes. This dissertation specifically focuses on state preparation procedures for quantum states with chiral topological order, states that are notable for their robust edge modes and topological properties.