Single Systems | Understanding Quantum Information & Computation - Lesson 01

This lesson introduces the basics of quantum information for single systems, including the description of quantum states as vectors with complex number entries, measurements that allow classical information to be extracted from quantum states, and operations on quantum states that are described by unitary matrices.

Timecodes for lesson sections:

0:00 - Introduction
2:06 - Lesson overview
4:01 - Descriptions of quantum information
5:52 - Classical information
10:52 - Dirac notation (first part)
15:23 - Measuring probabilistic states
18:50 - Deterministic operations
25:14 - Dirac notation (second part)
29:03 - Deterministic operations (continued)
30:55 - Probabilistic operations
34:50 - Composing operations
39:21 - Quantum information
47:43 - Dirac notation (third part)
50:48 - Measuring quantum states
55:57 - Unitary operations
59:21 - Qubit unitary operations
1:06:40 - Composing unitary operations
1:09:33 - Conclusion

#ibmquantum #learnquantum #qiskit

[igorpavicevic]

Top tier education like this being free is not a given, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart as this is amazing!

[joseluisrg]

I think this series can easily become a cult in the quantum information education space: concise and simple to digest, even when the topic is elusive for the classically formed brain. Thank you IBM for making quantum this accesible.

[subhashishbarik]

When someone explains you the meaning of the math used in physics or any science, the subject becomes doubly interesting. I am sure this lecture series will fit to that category.

Thanks to the creators of the course and looking forward to the journey of this lecture series.

[ShashiKumar-byek]

Finally the rigorous approach we needed and with beautiful animations.Thank you Qiskit.

[anoshwasker]

When talking about the Euclidean norm I think it's helpful to mention that when we multiply the coefficient with it's complex conjugate. For example in the (1+2i)/3 |0> - 2/3 |1> so "the absolute value squared" mentioned means that we would take (1+2i)/3 * (1-2i)/3 = ( 1^2 - (2i)^2 )/9 = 5/9

I'm just putting this comment here incase it's helpful to anyone trying to figure out how to get 5/9 😃

Thank you for putting this content out! It's very well done!!💥👌

[actualBIAS]

Alright guys, first of all: Thank you so much for making this available for free.
I will start today, 20.11.2024 and will give you a review of this course. It's been a long ride to be able to grasp what you're talking about.
Wish me good luck.

[ikshuljagannath]

He has such a soothing voice and elucidates concepts in such a lucid manner!

[Szczotii]

I'm a quantum entusiast for some time now, I've seen a couple attempts to explain quantum in simple but very precise terms.
This is by far the best explanation I've seen. It's step by step, no skipping because something will be covered later or is too difficult, which made me have multiple "aha!" moments.
Thank you very much for this and kudos to Mr Watrous!

[hiphaestis]

What a terrific lesson! His explanations are clear and complete. He does not leave me wondering how conclusions are drawn because he lays it all out so clearly. I might have thought that this would make the lesson tedious, but the opposite is true. Because the lesson is so clear, the material just flows, and an hour and 10 minutes is over in no time at all. Finally, he does make a few comments about deeper things that he does not prove. But those will be covered in future lessons, he assures us, or with a little extra effort, I can discover them on my own. In this way, he gives little victories to his audience. Quite remarkable, thanks.

[jamesjaneway]

Before adding a comment, decided to read a few others below. As it happens, they ALL say exactly what I wanted to say. Every time I come back, especially when I pause the video and actually "do the math(s)", I "get" something new that was only vaguely (or more likely, not to any degree at all) understood. Such a privilege to have this freely available wealth of the real kind of deep learning to digest, each at our own pace and foundation background (or even lack thereof). Thank you for being such a clear and cogent guide to us grasshoppers. Long live the Copenhagen Interpretation!

[cleverclark]

You sort of explained here in 2 minutes what I couldn't understand after hours and hours of the MIT course. Thank you!

[uberobserver]

The mathematics is usually put aside or ignored when this topic is popularly discussed - so correcting this omission with this series will prove to be extremely interesting and important. Can't wait for more.

[hin]

This is awesome! How he begins with Classical Information and smoothly guides into Quantum System Information, explaining key Quantum information concepts along the way, is very beautifully done. It is very easy to understand and digest. Thank you so much for teaching this in a very clear and concise manner. Thank you, John!

[neoness]

Really wonderful explanation of the basis of quantum managing information and operations. John Watrous is very clear in his words and in examples shown.
Thank you to all the Qiskit team for releasing this educational jewel for free.

[ellissep]

I appreciate this in depth response to what I've questioned for a while and sought a thorough and concise explanation of.
You being the only educator who I've found that has offered straightforward, complete, concise and clear information on this topic. your ability to conceptualize and clarify the essential necessary knowledge base without attempting to over simplify it is refreshing and helpful. Grateful and thankful for sharing your knowledge on the matter to all interested.
Grateful 🙏👌

[AdenikeOlatinwo]

One of the best explanations so far. Kudos to Prof. John Watrous for breaking the course down to dummies 👍

[AkshayAradhya]

I have so much respect for this man here.
He was able to teach for an hour straight with crystal clear information. Not sure if he had a teleprompter though

[krqxdjz]

You are a genius!!! I've always been frustrated at the notation part, but you made me to proceed to the next step! Thank you so much

[nernaykumar]

One of best explanation by sir !! It's people like prof John Watrous who explains these complex topic in a easy and precise way thank you qiskit

[shahzcoc]

Thank you, honestly speaking such an excellent basic approach is not followed by other courses, this one hour video will save people days of not having understood more complex theoretical concepts in the future.