Foundations of Quantum Sensing

Quantum sensing is the most technologically advanced area of quantum information science. It also requires the most advanced prerequisites to enter. These two courses provide a foundation for further work in quantum information science. After completing this sequence (which must be taken in order), you will have the theoretical background for working in quantum sensing. The material is at the undergraduate level. It is condensed in two courses to allow you prepare faster for quantum sensing than other options currently available.

The material culminates in a description of the quantum mechanical ideas needed to make make laser interferometry gravitational observatory (LIGO) work---the most advanced quantum sensor in the world.

The program image is an Image of Peter Turk’s lecture at Imperial College courtesy of Geraldine Cox.

Courses under this program:
Course 1: Mathematical and Computational Methods

Physicists use math all of the time in nearly everything that they work on. This course will help you understand how math is interconnected and recognize that math involves a handful of simple ideas that repeat. By the end of the course, you will be able to re-derive important formulas from basic principles or know precisely where to look them up and use them.

Course 2: Quantum Mechanics

Learn the quantum mechanics needed to prepare you for the second quantum revolution (focused on quantum sensing). We use a new way to teach quantum for undergraduates by focusing on conceptual ideas and operator manipulations. This allows us to discuss more applications to experiment usually done. You need a background in the full calculus sequence and in math methods. Freshman physics and modern physics is recommended. This course is appropriate for physicists, chemists and engineers.