Overview
Learn the fundamentals of quantum networks and their applications with QuTech’s Quantum Network Explorer.
A quantum network is very similar to a classical network (such as the internet), where we send and receive digital information. But unlike a classical network, a quantum network utilizes quantum bits, or qubits, to transmit and process information. By exploiting principles such as entanglement and superposition, it enables quantum communication protocols which can be applied to provide secure communication and enable distributed computing.
This course aims to provide you with an introduction to this new and exciting field. It will focus on protocol and application development and the simulation of quantum networks.
What makes this course stand out is the utilization of QuTech’s Quantum Network Explorer (QNE) to demonstrate the capabilities of quantum networks. Using the various simulation tools provided by the platform, you will be able to experiment with quantum network applications, enabling you to discover the possibilities that this new technology offers.
The course starts with a brief overview of quantum networks. After this, you will delve into the various tools offered by QNE, including the QNE Community Application Library (QNE-CAL), the QNE Application Development Kit (QNE-ADK), and SquidASM, an advanced application simulator developed by QuTech.
You will gain insight into established applications of quantum networks such as quantum key distribution (QKD), teleportation, and blind quantum computation (BQC). You will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on exercises, through which you will learn to perform your own quantum network simulations by adjusting input parameters using an intuitive graphical user interface.
Further, you will learn how to modify existing applications and create new ones from scratch using QNE’s Application Development Kit (QNE-ADK). You will also receive a comprehensive tutorial on SquidASM, a software package designed for advanced simulations of quantum network applications.
If you have made it thus far, you have mastered essential tools for developing and investigating quantum networking applications and will have the opportunity to join a growing community of developers! Upon successful completion of the course, EU users (both audit and verified) are entitled to a QTIndu certificate.
This course was developed by a team of experts in quantum networking architecture and simulation software from TU Delft, drawing on the extensive expertise of leading experts in quantum technology from QuTech.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the fundamentals of quantum networks and their future applications.
- Utilize the diverse resources provided by the Quantum Network Explorer to gain practical insight into quantum networks through hands-on experience.
- Run your own quantum network simulations by leveraging the pre-built applications available in QNE’s Community Application Library.
- Develop customized quantum network applications using QNE’s Application Development Kit (QNE-ADK) and contribute to the global QNE community by sharing your work.
- Use SquidASM as an advanced simulator for quantum network applications, elevating your research capabilities to the next level.
This course has been developed with the support of the European-funded project QTIndu (Quantum Technologies courses for Industry). The aim of QTIndu is to provide a solution specifically tailored to the industry needs. Together with other 10 partners which include universities, research institutes and private companies, we are creating training courses in quantum technologies for professionals in industries. Learn more on qtindu.eu (https://qtindu.eu/).
This project has received funding from the European Union's Digital Europe Programme under grant agreement no. 101100757.
Details
Course Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction to the Quantum Network Explorer (QNE)
- Introduction to QNE platform
- Components of a quantum network
- Overview of simulators
Week 2: Applications of a Quantum Network
- The QNE Community Application Library (QNE-CAL)
- Quantum Key Distribution in QNE
- Application beyond QKD in QNE
Week 3: The QNE Application Development Kit
- QNE-ADK installation
- Creating your own application
- Uploading applications to QNE-CAL
Week4: SquidASM – The advanced quantum application simulator
- Introduction to SquidASM
- Writing applications in SquidASM #1
- Writing applications in SquidASM #2
Admission
This is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that runs on edX.
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic concepts of quantum technology (e.g., qubits, entanglement).
- The courses of QuTech for more background knowledge, specifically: The Hardware of a Quantum Computer and Architecture, Algorithms, and Protocols of a Quantum Computer and Quantum Internet.
- Basic knowledge of Python programming.