Principal Investigators: Brian Parshall, David Evans, Jeffrey Holt, Olivier Pfister and Harold Ward Proposal Number: DMS- 0308708 Institution: University of Virginia
Abstract: Coding theory and quantum computing
The Department of Mathematics and the Institute for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Virginia will sponsor an interdisciplinary conference on quantum computing and coding theory at the University of Virginia on May 20-26, 2003. The conference will begin with an instructional workshop consisting of three mini-courses presented by senior experts aimed at providing an introduction to quantum computing and coding theory. The target audience for the workshop will consist of advanced graduate students and junior faculty. Quantum computing has connections with many different areas of mathematics, so that the educational impact of the program on mathematicians attending the conference should be considerable. The workshop will be followed by a short conference featuring invited speakers discussing recent developments. Other conference participants will also have the opportunity to present contributed talks on their work.
One cannot overstate the potential impact of quantum computing. Current methods of encrypting data for private transmission are secure not because they are unbreakable but rather because today's computers and algorithms do not have the speed or efficiency to break the code. When developed, quantum computers will make current encryption methods insecure and obsolete. These computers will also provide new means of quickly searching databases of information, which would have many important applications in biotechnology and data mining.
