Department of Computer Science
Rice University

Distinguished Lecture Series

Fourier Transforms, Quantum Algorithms and Complexity

Umesh V. Vazirani
University of California - Berkeley

Abstract

Quantum computation is a fascinating new area that touches upon the foundations of both quantum physics and computer science. Quantum computers can perform certain tasks, such as factoring, exponentially faster than classical computers.

Over the last couple of years, we have achieved a deeper understanding of quantum algorithms in terms of properties of Fourier transforms over discrete groups. This talk will provide a survey of quantum computation from this viewpoint. The talk is intended for a general audience.

About Umesh V. Vazirani

Umesh Vazirani is widely recognized as a leader in the area of quantum computing. He is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, from where he received his Ph.D. in 1986. Vazirani co-authored An Introduction to Computational Learning Theory with Michael Kearns, and is on the International Advisory Board for the Journal of Quantum Computing. He received an NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award in 1987 and the Friedman Mathematics Prize in 1985.

Monday, November 20 at 4:15 p.m. in DH 1064
A reception will follow in DH 1049.

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site problems: www@cs.rice.edu

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