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PurdueX: Quantum Networking

Learn about the science and engineering of future quantum networks whose security is guaranteed by laws of quantum physics.

5 weeks
6–9 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
This course is archived

About this course

Skip About this course

Of note: The final session of this course will begin March 25, 2024. This course will be retired after the spring session and will no longer be available. Learners who purchase this course will need to complete the course during the final spring session.

Applying exotic quantum properties such as entanglement to every-day applications such as communication and computation reveals new dimensions of such applications. Quantum encoding and entanglement distribution provide means to establish fundamentally secure communication links for transfer of classical and quantum data.

Generation, transmission and storage of quantum optical information are basic processes required to establish a quantum optical network. This course describes the physics behind these processes and overviews various implementation approaches. Technologies including quantum key distribution, quantum repeaters, quantum memories and quantum teleportation will be discussed and their engineering challenges will be evaluated.

At a glance

  • Institution: PurdueX
  • Subject: Physics
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:

    Students should have knowledge in basic electromagnetic field theory, basic electronic circuits, algebra, calculus, and differential equations.

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • Mathematically describe the basic quantum mechanics of light-mater interactions
  • Quantify generation and storage of quantum optical information for long-distance quantum communication
  • Examine quantum networking protocols and network architectures
  • Evaluate engineering challenges in generation and storage of photonic qubits and entanglement distribution

Section A: Introduction and Basic Principles

  • Introduction
  • Postulates of Quantum Theory
  • Hamiltonian and Schrodinger Equation
  • Dirac Notation
  • Operators Quantum Mechanics
  • Heisenberg Uncertainty
  • Wave-Particle Duality
  • Entanglement

Section B: Photons

  • Quantum EM Fields
  • Polarization of Optical Fields
  • EM Resonators
  • Quantum Light

Section C: Atoms

  • Two-Level Atom
  • Introduction to Light-Atom Interactions
  • Three-Level Atoms

Section D: Communications

  • Quantum Cryptography
  • Quantum Teleportation
  • Quantum Memory
  • Entanglement Distribution
  • Overview of Quantum Computing Platforms
  • Quantum Communication Requirement
  • Quantum Communication Hardware

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Quantum Technology: Detectors and Networking MicroMasters Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
5 graduate-level courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
10 months
6 - 9 hours per week

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