Quantum error correction (QEC) is a very active field of research, dominated on the one hand by practical considerations (i.e. the building of quantum computers) and on the other hand by the theoretical construction of novel error correction codes with good properties (high rates, distances). On both of these fronts significant progress continues to be made, with the invention of Floquet codes, the implementation of colour codes in neutral atoms and the development of “good” (constant rate and linear distance) quantum Tanner codes as noteworthy examples. Many difficult problems also remain, both practical (e.g. the development of fast and reliable decoders) and theoretical (the construction of locally testable quantum codes).
By developing quantum algorithms (QAs), we explore which computational problems are amenable to quantum speedups. The field has advanced significantly since Shor’s algorithm put it in the spotlight. Although we strive to discover more such examples, achieving even super-quadratic speedups remains a challenging task. Moreover, there are still seemingly basic combinatorial problems, such as finding triangles in a graph, for which we are uncertain how much help a quantum computer will be. To better understand which computational tasks can be accelerated, it is crucial for researchers to keep their toolkit of quantum algorithmic design paradigms up-to-date.
The central goal of this research semester programme is to unite the Dutch and international quantum community who are either currently engaged in or interested in exploring the topics of QA and QEC. This programme will offer participants a comprehensive introduction to these topics, provide insights into state-of-the-art advancements and foster a collaborative environment for novel research.
This research semester is organised by Jonas Helsen (CWI), Sebastian Zur (IRIF, CWI), Sander Gribling (TiU), Dmitry Grinko (UvA) and Subhasree Patro (TU/e). The programme will consist of a weeklong summer school and two workshops, complemented with a group of long-term visitors, in Fall 2026:
- 24-28 August: summer school on QA and QEC
- 16-18 September: workshop on QA
- 28-30 October: workshop on QEC
