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Welcome to ENGN8827 Quantum Control - 2007/S2

<Updated 14.06.07>

• What is this course about?
• Why is quantum control important?
• Who is this course for?
• How to enrol?

Please contact me if you are interested in doing this course.

 

Steam Engine, Boulton & Watt, 1788. A centrifugal governor was used to regulate speed. The steam engine powered the industrial revolution.	Lunar module, NASA, 1960's. Control systems helped put man on the moon. Control systems are widely used in the modern world.	Atom laser obtained from a Bose Einstein condensate by the BEC Group at ANU. Control systems are being developed to stabilise the condensate and control the properties of the atom laser. This is an example of a new quantum technology currently under development.

 

What is this course about?

This course is about controlling physical systems whose behaviour is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics.

Students will learn the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, measurement and filtering, and feedback control.

Why is quantum control important?

Experimental methods are now capable of exploiting the laws of quantum mechanics and offer great promise for the creation of new technologies such as quantum computers and atom lasers. Quantum control is important because of the role control systems will play in the development of quantum technologies. Quantum control is a key element in the emerging field of quantum engineering.

Who is this course for?

This course will be of interest to PhD, masters, and advanced undergraduate students from engineering, mathematics, and physics.

There are no specific prerequistites. No background in quantum mechanics nor control is assumed. However, excellent academic performance is required.

• Engineering students: this course will help you understand emerging opportunites in the field of quantum technology and equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge.
• Maths students: this course will show you that quantum control and quantum technology provide exciting opportunites for applying your mathematical skills.
• Physics students: this course will show you how quantum control can help you in your work as a physicist, and deepen your understanding of quantum mechanics.

How to enrol?

All students need permission to enrol.

• Graduate students (ME, MICT and PhD students) - please see me and then enrol in ENGN8227 in the usual way
• Undergraduate students (BE, BSc and PhB students) - please see me and we will set up an appropriate topics course for you to enrol in.