Jointly with Math Colloquium and Applied Math Seminar: Topological Quantum Computation

Abstract: Quantum computing models have the potential to perform tasks such as factoring integers and simulating quantum physics exponentially faster than any known classical algorithms, thus revolutionizing information science. But the construction of a large-scale quantum computer is still in its infancy due to the decoherence of quantumness. One promising way to defeat decoherence is via topology. I will give an introduction to this approach to building a large-scale quantum computer, as pursued at Microsoft Station Q, and discuss the mathematical and scientific challenges.

Speaker's Bio: Dr. Zhenghan Wang is a senior researcher at Station Q, Microsoft Research located on UC Santa Barbara campus, and an adjunct professor of UC Santa Barbara Math Dept. Before joining Microsoft, he was on the faulty of Indiana University from 1996-2007. His main interests are quantum topology, theoretical models of topological phases of matter, and their application to quantum computing.