Quantum Technologies for the Next Generation of Engineers

Course Objectives:

Control of quantum systems has enabled the development of groundbreaking technologies such as lasers, transistors, atomic force microscopes, and optical tweezers over the past century. These technologies, which have been recognized as first-generation quantum devices since the early 2000s, are now seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. However, since quantum mechanics is not typically included in the curricula of engineering programs, the primary aim of this course is to establish a conceptual foundation where the working principles of such devices can be discussed with students.

On the other hand, recent advancements in quantum information theory have enhanced our ability to control the quantum states of physical systems. This progress has opened the door to a second quantum revolution in the field of engineering. To distinguish the technological devices born from this revolution from their predecessors, the prefix “quantum” is added to their names. The second aim of this course is to enable students to compare first-generation and second-generation quantum devices through examples such as computers and quantum computers. To achieve this, students will learn mathematical representation methods of quantum states, allowing them to recognize new resources like quantum contextuality, quantum superposition, quantum coherence, and quantum entanglement, which are integral to second-generation quantum devices.

Another objective of this course is to discuss both the current state and the future of the quantum revolution by exploring next-generation quantum technologies such as quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum cryptography,

quantum metrology, quantum energy technologies, and quantum machine learning.

Course Content:

The control of quantum systems has enabled the development of revolutionary technologies such as lasers, transistors, atomic force microscopes, and optical tweezers in the past century. These technologies, which began to be recognized as first-generation quantum technologies in the early 2000s, have now been integrated into our daily lives. However, recent advancements in quantum information theory have enhanced our ability to control the quantum states of physical systems. This opens the door to a second quantum revolution in the field of engineering. In this course, we will discuss the future of the quantum revolution through next-generation quantum technologies, including quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum metrology, quantum thermodynamics, and quantum machine learning.