Dr. Edward Farhi

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Physics Based Approaches to Quantum Computing

102 Cardwell Hall

April 28, 2014

4:30 p.m.

A quantum computer uses quantum law for its logic base instead of binary arithmetic. We know that for certain tasks, a perfectly functioning quantum computer, running a quantum algorithm, could outperform any classical computer. I will show, using examples, how ideas from physics can be used in the design of quantum algorithms. Some of these ideas also have implications for the hardware design of quantum computers.