[KITS Public Lecture II] The Quantum Future of Computing

Speaker: Matthias Troyer (Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research)

Abstract: 

A century after the development of quantum mechanics we have now reached an exciting time where computational devices that make use of quantum effects can be built. Quantum random member generators, analog quantum simulators and quantum annealers are already commercially available and work on quantum computers is accelerating. I will talk about the future of computing in a world with quantum computers. First demonstration devices exist and a universal quantum computer with computational powers beyond that of any imaginable classical computers seems just over the horizon and feasible within the next few years. I will explain the origin of the exceptional computational power of quantum computers, and how this can be applied to solve problems that are impossible to solve on classical computers. I will discuss the challenges involved in bringing these quantum algorithms to bear on important real-world problems and the need for educating a new generation of quantum software engineers to develop more “killer-applications” for these amazing devices.

Time: 14:00-15:30, Sep 27, 2017

Location: S201 UCAS Zhong-Guan-Cun Teaching Building, No. 3 Nan-Yi-Tiao Road

中关村南一条3号 中国科学院大学中关村校区教学楼 S201

[KITS Public Lecture III] Strange Stuff: A Second Quantum Revolution

Speaker: Leon Balents (Chair Professor, KITP Permanent Member, UCSB)

Abstract: 

Weird but true: quantum mechanics tells us that reality is not what it seems. The glass is not necessarily empty or full, but can be both at the same time. Erwin Schrödinger, one of the founders of quantum theory, imagined a cat that is simultaneously alive and dead. In practice, while such odd quantum states are common for microscopic particles, they are harder and harder to arrange for larger objects. But more recently, researchers have turned this question around to ask: what sorts of weird quantum states can be achieved? The answers are surprising. Quite strange quantum behavior is possible even in large assemblies of electrons and atoms, realizing new forms of matter. These ideas are influencing not only our understanding of matter, but also that of information and gravity. In my talk, I'll introduce you to this second quantum revolution and its implications for the future.

Time: 16:00-17:30. Sep 27, 2017

Location: Room S201, UCAS Zhong-Guan-Cun Teaching Building, No. 3 Nan-Yi-Tiao Road

中国科学院大学 中关村教学楼S201

[KITS Public Lecture IV] The Quest for Mass

Speaker: Tao Han (Distinguished Professor, University of Pittsburgh; Tsinghua University)

Abstract:

The origin of mass has been one of the most profound questions in science. After an introductory description about the meaning of mass, we present the modern view of the mass generation mechanism for elementary particles in a highly successful framework, the ``Standard Model'', and discuss the dynamical origin of mass around us. Although the discovery of the Higgs boson at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has substantial deepened our understanding of the mass generation in the microscopic world, our contemporary theory still falls in short to understand the major components of the energy budget in our Universe, the ''dark matter'' and ''dark energy''. The quest for mass remains to be the biggest puzzle in science and continues to inspire exciting research in particle physics and cosmology.

Time：15:30, Sep 28, 2017

Location: No. 6 Lecture Hall, UCAS Yu-Quan Road Campus

中国科学院大学玉泉路校区 教学大楼第六阶梯教室