National Institute of Science and Technology - Quantum Information

Abstract

The field of quantum information concerns the study of methods for characterizing, transmitting, processing, storing, compressing and utilizing information contained in quantum mechanical systems. This interest has led to the detailed investigation of a large number of physical systems in search of candidate architecture in which to implement these techniques. Quantum information is a multidisciplinary field, which has developed rapidly in the last few years, motivated by fundamental aspects as well as promising perspectives of applications in computation, communication and cryptography. This proposal regards the creation of a National Institute of Science and Technology - Quantum Information (INCT-IQ). The importance of this institute derives from the need to develop basic research that will in turn generate technology based on quantum computation and communication. In particular, research directed towards communication technology based on quantum cryptography is extremely important, given that quantum cryptography is the only intrinsically secure method for transmitting secret information. This has led to a strong effort in the direction of commercial devices for quantum cryptography, funded directly by government and industry. Moreover, prototypes developed by research groups and businesses are currently available. Additional interest in quantum information is related to the fact that a quantum computer can in principle perform tasks that are intractable with even the most powerful classical computers. One important example is the factorization of large numbers. Factorization and other similar mathematical operations form the basis of present classical cryptography technology. The construction of a quantum computer therefore threatens the security of past and present communication as well as electronic commerce. Therefore, the academic, the commercial and the strategic points of view require that Brazil increase its efforts and pursue the state of the art in this highly international field. In order to situate the proposed INCT-IQ within the international scene and latest developments in the quantum information field, we would like to briefly introduce the history of the field, while also summarizing the main achievements in recent theoretical and experimental research. Historically, one can identify interesting similarities between the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the information revolution, currently in progress. The former was possible, mostly due to important scientific advances of the time, such as the development and application of the theories of thermodynamics and electrodynamics. In the latter, one identify incredible progress, again due primarily to the development and application of two scientific theories: quantum mechanics and information theory. Quantum mechanics is essential for the design of semi-conductor devices and lasers, which are crucial components in computers, the internet, cell phones, CD and DVD players, digital cameras and many other devices. Information theory has advanced the quantification and manipulation of information, as for instance, in providing methods for compressing digital information such as in MP3 files. The fundamental character of the advances in both theories forms a considerable juxtaposition with their impact on the daily Iife of ordinary people through the subsequent technologic applications. Currently, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the information revolution where quantum properties play an essential. Even though most information processing devices depend on the laws of quantum mechanics (like in a transistor), the information in itself is of a classical nature. Here we are referring to the usual classical bits of information, which are processed in a computer or transmitted in a digital communication channel... (AU)