Introducing Quantum Computation in Education

Abstract: Quantum Computation is the quest for more efficient technologies. It can in principal be applied to Complex quantum systems, Quantum chemical systems, Cyber-security, Finance and AI. However, the introductory course in Quantum Mechanics at the Luleå University of Technology (F0047T) does not provide an introduction to Quantum Computation. This thesis investigates educational material and summarizes introductory concepts to Quantum Computation in the form of a compendium, as well as laboratory tasks in the form of simulation exercises as a potential integration of Quantum Computation into the course. The constructed compendium includes a historical overview, applications, introductory level Quantum Computation theory, Quantum Computational algorithms and a section of the Nobel prize in Physics 2022 which is relevant to both fields. An alternative proof of one of the algorithms, the Deutsch Jozsa Algorithm, presented in the compendium was created, which utilizes mathematics more in-line with the course. If the laboratory tasks were to be incorporated into the course, they would replace one of the current three laboratory tasks. Auxiliary aims for the laboratory tasks were thus imposed. These were: be of similar length/difficulty as the three laboratory tasks separately, be inspirational, be within the theoretical scope of the compendium and focus on quantum phenomenon. The laboratory tasks were chosen to center around Quantum Entanglement and the Deutsch Jozsa Algorithm which are to be preformed using IBM's Quantum Logic Circuit simulator 'Quantum Composer'. Both these tasks focus on Quantum phenomenon and are within the theoretical scope of the compendium. The length/difficulty and inspirational aspects of the tasks needs to be verified in a continuation study.