Introduction to Topological Quantum Matter & Quantum Computation / Edition 1

by Tudor D. Stanescu

Overview

What is "topological" about topological quantum states? How many types of topological quantum phases are there? What is a zero-energy Majorana mode, how can it be realized in a solid state system, and how can it be used as a platform for topological quantum computation? What is quantum computation and what makes it different from classical computation?

Addressing these and other related questions, Introduction to Topological Quantum Matter & Quantum Computation provides an introduction to and a synthesis of a fascinating and rapidly expanding research field emerging at the crossroads of condensed matter physics, mathematics, and computer science. Providing the big picture, this book is ideal for graduate students and researchers entering this field as it allows for the fruitful transfer of paradigms and ideas amongst different areas, and includes many specific examples to help the reader understand abstract and sometimes challenging concepts. It explores the topological quantum world beyond the well-known topological insulators and superconductors and emphasizes the deep connections with quantum computation. It addresses key principles behind the classification of topological quantum phases and relevant mathematical concepts and discusses models of interacting and noninteracting topological systems, such as the torric code and the p-wave superconductor. The book also covers the basic properties of anyons, and aspects concerning the realization of topological states in solid state structures and cold atom systems.

Quantum computation is also presented using a broad perspective, which includes fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics, such as Bell's theorem, basic concepts in the theory of computation, such as computational models and computational complexity, examples of quantum algorithms, and elements of classical and quantum information theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781482245936
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/06/2016
Pages:	394
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Tudor Stanescu is a professor of Condensed Matter Theory at West Virginia University, USA. He received a B.S. in Physics from the University of Bucharest, Romania, in 1994 and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2002. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Rutgers University and at the University of Maryland from 2003 to 2009. He joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University in Fall 2009. Prof. Stanescu’s research interests encompass a variety of topics in theoretical condensed matter physics including topological insulators and superconductors, topological quantum computation, ultra-cold atom systems in optical lattices, and strongly correlated materials, such as, for example, cuprate high-temperature superconductors. His research uses a combination of analytical and numerical tools and focuses on understanding the emergence of exotic states of matter in solid state and cold atom structures, for example, topological superconducting phases that host Majorana zero modes, and on investigating the possibilities of exploiting these states as physical platforms for quantum computation.

Table of Contents

Preliminaries: From Quantum Mechanics to Quantum Computation

Quatum Theory: Some Fundamentals

The Geometric Phase

Quantum Mechanics and Information Science

Section II: Topological Phases of Matter

Symmetry and Topology in Condensed Matter Physics

Topological Insulators and Superconductors

Interacting Topological Phases

Section III: Topological Quantum States: Design and Engineering

Theories of Topological Quantum Matter

Majorana Zero Modes in Solid State Heterostructures

Topological Phases in Cold Atom Systems

Section IV: Topological Quantum Computation

Elements of Quantum Information Theory

Introduction to Quantum Computation

Anyons and Topological Quantum Computation

Editorial Reviews

"In the last twenty years, several themes have come to the forefront of quantum condensed matter physics research through cross-fertilization with other disciplines, such as: topological matter and its emergent quasiparticles, quantum information theory, and quantum computation. This new book from Tudor Stanescu provides a much needed comprehensive introduction to this area of research. Clearly written, it takes the reader from the relevant concepts in quantum mechanics, to physical realizations in cold atom systems and heterostructures, going through the necessary concepts and multiple examples. Written from a condensed matter physics perspective, it will be a valuable reference and will serve as an advanced textbook at the graduate level in this important disciplinary area."
—Gabriel Kotliar, Rutgers University

"This book is a sort of travel guide through topological quantum computation…[it] is composed of four parts, preliminaries that introduce quantum mechanics, part two that deals with topological phases of matter and part three that deals with theories of topological quantum matter. The last part, part four, introduces topological quantum computation…This book is essential for anyone interested in the exciting new field of topological quantum computation or any one interested in how a possible quantum computer can be realised based on the principles of topological quantum matter."
—Andreas Wichert, Lisboa, in Zentralblatt Math, Springer

From the Publisher