F8170 Quantum computers: fundamentals and applications

Faculty of Science
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martin Friák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Michal Krejčí (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Friák, Ph.D.
Department of Condensed Matter Physics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Mgr. Martin Friák, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Condensed Matter Physics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
F5030 Intro. to Quantum Mechananics && F6121 Introduction to solid st.phys.
quantum mechanics (quantum physics), linear algebra, knowledge of solid state physics and Python programming language are advantageous
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 7 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
1. Introduce students to quantum computing principles.
2. Develop proficiency in quantum programming using the Python package Qiskit.
3. Explore advanced topics, including hybrid quantum algorithms applicable in solid-state physics (partly also in quantum chemistry).
Learning outcomes
Students will
gain an overview of the principles of quantum computers,
learn the fundamentals of the architecture of quantum circuits,
get acquainted with physical realizations of quantum computers,
learn selected variational quantum algorithms,
learn selected hybrid computing algorithms,
gain insight into the noise and errors in quantum computers,
get acquainted with selected specifically quantum algorithms,
try programming quantum computers (Qiskit - Python),
will try quantum-mechanical calculations of small molecular systems and solid-state crystals on quantum computers or their classic simulators.
Key topics
  •  I. Introduction, motivation and mathematical foundations
  • 1. Historical development, classical vs. quantum computing, qubit as a physical and mathematical object, overview of hardware platforms (spins, traps, photons, superconducting qubits,...), current state and limitations of quantum computers 
  •  2.  Unitary time evolution, basic single-qubit gates (Rotations, H, S, T, ...), Non-unitary time evolution - measurement, probabilities
  • 3.  Multi-qubit systems, tensor product and composition of Hilbert space, binary code, separable and entangled states (entanglement), two- and multi-qubit operations, measurement of multi-qubit states and their probabilities
  • 4.  Quantum circuits, registers, No-cloning theorem, quantum teleportation, source of errors, decoherence
  •  II. Physical realizations
  • 1.  DiVincenzo criteria, photonic qubits, ion traps and neutral atoms 
  • 2.  Solid-state qubits, spin in semiconductors, superconducting qubits (charge, phase, flux, transmon) 
  • III.  Applications 
  • 1.  Quantum algorithms, Quantum Fourier Transformation, Shor's algorithm 
  • 2.  Phase Kickback, Quantum Phase Estimation, Shor's algorithm 
  • 3.  Variational quantum algorithms, VQE, VQD, classical optimization, Barren plateaus 
  • 4.  Band structure calculations, QUBO, QAOA 
  • 5.  Hubbard model  
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • článek ve sborníku: https://doi.org/10.37904/nanocon.2023.4774
  • Diplomová práce M. Ďurišky https://is.muni.cz/auth/th/mwqxb/
  • Diplomová práce I. Mihálikové https://is.muni.cz/auth/th/r79w2/
    not specified
  • NIELSEN, Michael A. and Isaac L. CHUANG. Quantum computation and quantum information. 10th Anniversary ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010, xxxi, 676. ISBN 9781107002173. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
lectures, class discussions, individual/group projects, programming, homework, reading
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
presentation of individual/group projects
Alternate completion
In the case of a trip abroad, it is possible to take the course in a substitute form upon agreement (possibly online).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
Teacher's information
The lessons and hands-on courses will take place at the Institute of Physics of Materials, Czech Academy of Sciences, Žižkova 22, Brno, a 10-minute walk from Kotlářská Street across the Björnson park in the direction towards Kraví hora.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2026/F8170