QCRYPT 2012: Call for Submissions

Singapore, 10-14 September

2nd Annual Conference on Quantum Cryptography

Conference Website: http://www.qcrypt.net
Paper Submission (deadline 20 May):
https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=qcrypt2012

Quantum cryptography aims to achieve security from fundamental
physical principles, such as the quantum mechanical phenomena of
entanglement and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. In the last few
years significant progress has been made in the theoretical
understanding of quantum cryptography and its technological
feasibility has been demonstrated experimentally. Quantum cryptography
is therefore regarded as one of the most promising candidates for a
future quantum technology.

QCRYPT is a new conference series on Quantum Cryptography. The first
event took place at ETH Zurich September 2011, and was a resounding
success with nearly 140 participants both from theoretical and
experimental research groups, making it the largest conferences in
this area. The second event will take place at the National University
of Singapore.

QCRYPT is followed by the satellite workshop Japan-Singapore Workshop
on multi-user quantum networks, 17th-20th September 2012, CQT
Singapore, organized by Masahito Hayashi and Andreas Winter.

Conference format

QCRYPT features invited talks, contributed talks, and a poster
session. In addition, we will also have a select series of focus
tutorials this year to ease interaction between theory and experiment.
As last year, there will also be an industry panel session.

Important dates

Paper submission deadline: 20 May (23:59 SST, ie in american samoa)
Notification of acceptance: 6 July

Poster submission deadline: 1 August

Submission information

Submissions of abstracts for contributed papers are sought in both
theoretical as well as experimental quantum cryptography and related
fields. We encourage submissions from related areas such as
non-locality and information theory. The submission to QCRYPT should
consist of 2-3 pages, containing a non-technical, clear and insightful
description of the results and main ideas, their impact, and their
importance to quantum cryptography. For theoretical work, the
submission should direct the reader to a technical version of the work
(this should preferably be online but otherwise can be provided as an
attachment). The submission should not consist of a compressed version
of the technical exposition of the paper, but instead should
facilitate the reading of the technical version and help the program
committee assess its importance.

The 2-3 page abstracts of the accepted contributed papers will be
posted on the QCRYPT 2012 website. There are no proceedings, and
simultaneous submission to other workshops, conferences or journals is
possible.

Programme Committee:

Michael Ben-Or (Hebrew University)
Serge Fehr (CWI Amsterdam)
Patrick Hayden (chair) (McGill University)
Thomas Jennewein (IQC Waterloo)
Robert Koenig (IBM Research)
Christian Kurtsiefer (CQT Singapore)
Norbert Lutkenhaus (IQC Waterloo)
Stefano Pironio (Universite Libre de Bruxelles)
Thomas Vidick (MIT)
Hugo Zbinden (University of Geneva)

Steering Committee:

Matthias Christandl (ETH Zurich)
Roger Colbeck (Perimeter Institute)
Michele Mosca (IQC Waterloo)
Renato Renner (ETH Zurich)
Louis Salvail (University of Montreal)
Wolfgang Tittel (University of Calgary)
Stephanie Wehner (chair) (National University of Singapore)

Advisory Committee:

Charles H. Bennett (IBM Research)
Gilles Brassard (University of Montreal)
Ivan Damgaard (University of Aarhus)
Artur Ekert (CQT/U. of Oxford)
Nicolas Gisin (Geneva University)
Richard Hughes (Los Alamos)
Masahide Sasaki (NICT)

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Postdoc in Theoretical Quantum Optics at the University of Calgary

Professor Christoph Simon is looking for postdoc candidates
who are interested in joining my theoretical quantum optics group
at the University of Calgary, starting this summer. Professor Simon’s
current research interests are briefly described below. His group is part
of the Institute of Quantum Information Science at the University of Calgary,
which encompasses several excellent experimental and theoretical
groups (see http://www.iqis.org/), guaranteeing a rich and stimulating
research environment.

Candidates should send an email with a CV and publication list to
christoph.simon [at] gmail.com. They should also arrange for recommendation
letters to be sent to the same address.

Research Interests:

The interaction of light and matter at the quantum level has played a
major role in the development of quantum physics. Its detailed study
in the field of quantum optics has led to the development of important
applications such as the laser, and to the first experimental
demonstrations of the most striking features of quantum physics, such
as entanglement and quantum non-locality. But quantum optics is not
ready to rest on its laurels. There are two key future challenges. On
the one hand, we strive to develop genuine applications of these
fundamental quantum features. Our group is particularly interested in
the development of quantum repeaters, which will be essential for
future long-distance quantum communication. This motivates us to study
potential implementations of quantum memories and of quantum gates
between individual photons in various systems. On the other hand,
quantum optical systems are ideally positioned to explore the
quantum-classical transition, allowing us to deepen our understanding
of how the classical macroscopic world arises out of microscopic
quantum behavior. This motivates us to study the quantum amplification
of photons to macroscopic levels, as well as quantum opto-mechanical
systems. All these directions are pursued in close contact with
leading experimental groups.

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Masters/ MSc course in Quantum Information and Coherence, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

Masters/ MSc course in Quantum Information and Coherence, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

Deadline: A 1st June 2012 deadline is advisable for 2012 entry in order to obtain visa paperwork.

Website:

http://phys.strath.ac.uk/postgrad/msc_quantum.php

This taught MSc course offers a comprehensive overview of the emerging
applications of quantum physics to information processing and quantum
coherent devices. The course syllabus includes important topics such as:

* Quantum Information Science. This teaches how quantum phenomena may be
used to process information in novel ways that outperform existing
information processing technologies.

* Experimental Quantum and Atom Optics. This topic covers the key techniques
used to generate and manipulate quantum coherence in real experimental
systems.

* Introduction to Quantum Optics and Open quantum systems. This topic will
teach principles that can be used to describe all quantum coherent
devices.

The courses and research project will be under the guidance of the Quantum
Information and Coherence researchers at the department of Physics at the
University of Strathclyde, including Dr. Aidan Arnold, Prof. Steve Barnett,
Dr. Paul Griffin, Dr. John Jeffers, Prof. Stefan Kuhr, Dr. Daniel Oi, Prof.
Erling Riis, and Dr. Shashank Virmani. Please see
http://phys.strath.ac.uk/postgrad/msc_quantum.php for more details.

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Canadian Summer School on Quantum Information

The Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo will host the Canadian Summer School on Quantum Information from June 11-16, 2012. This school is the 12th edition of an annual event that brings together students from around the world to learn about quantum information processing. Previous editions of the school have been held in Calgary, Montreal, Sherbrooke, Toronto, and Waterloo. This year’s school follows the tradition of educating young researchers in this rapidly-evolving field by gathering some of the world’s top experts to offer lectures on various aspects of quantum information. The school is designed for graduate students and postdocs in computer science, mathematics, and physics who are interested in learning about quantum information processing. It also provides an opportunity for students specializing in one sub-area to broaden their knowledge of the field as a whole.

Confirmed speakers are as follows:
* Alexandre Blais, Sherbrooke (Solid state quantum computing)
* Bill Coish, McGill (Decoherence)
* Daniel Gottesman, Perimeter (Error correction and fault tolerance)
* Peter Hoyer, Calgary (Quantum algorithms)
* Richard Hughes, Los Alamos (Quantum cryptography)
* Christopher Monroe, Maryland (Trapped ion quantum computing)
* John Preskill, Caltech (Introduction to quantum information)
* Martin Roetteler, NEC (Quantum algorithms)
* David Schuster, Chicago (Hybrid devices)
* Steve Simon, Oxford (Topological quantum computing)
* Lorenza Viola, Dartmouth (Quantum control)
* John Watrous, IQC (Quantum complexity theory)
* Mark Wilde, McGill (Quantum information theory)

Some funding is available for travel support. Applications for funding will be accepted until April 15, 2012.

The deadline for early registration (at a reduced rate) is April 25, 2012.

Sponsorship of the school has been provided by the Institute for Quantum Computing, MITACS, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and the Fields Institute.

For more information on the school, visit http://cssqi2012.iqc.uwaterloo.ca

The 9th Canadian Student Conference & 2nd AQuA Student Congress on Quantum Information will be held in Waterloo the following week, from June 18-22. Participants at the summer school are encouraged to consider also attending the student conference. For more information on the student conference, visit http://aqua2012.uwaterloo.ca/

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AQC 2012: First International Workshop on Adiabatic Quantum Computation

March 7 – 8, 2012 – Albuquerque, NM, USA
(https://share.sandia.gov/aqc2012/)

Invited speakers:
Dr. Mohammad Amin, D-Wave Systems, Inc.
Dr. Malcolm Carroll, Sandia National Laboratories
Prof. Ivan Deutsch, University of New Mexico
Dr. Emily Edwards, University of Maryland
Prof. Mark Eriksson, University of Wisconsin
Dr. Frank Gaitan, Laboratory for Physical Sciences, Canada
Dr. Toby Jacobson, Sandia National Laboratories
Prof. Daniel Lidar, University of Southern California
Dr. Paul Parazzoli, Sandia National Laboratories
Dr. Andrew Sachrajda, National Research Council
Prof. Mark Saffman, University of Wisconsin
Dr. Rolando Somma, Los Alamos National Laboratories

Workshop background and goals:

Adiabatic Quantum Computing (AQC) promises to be robust to many noise sources that cause ordinary quantum circuits to fail, including environmental decoherence and imperfect control. While any quantum algorithm can be run on a universal adiabatic quantum computer in principle, combinatorial optimization problems appear to be the most natural for near-term devices. Understanding the landscape of AQC architectures and algorithms, and methods for realizing them, continues to be an active and vibrant research area.
The First International Workshop on Adiabatic Quantum Computing (AQC 2012), hosted and organized by Sandia National Laboratories, brings together researchers from different communities to explore this computational paradigm. The thrust of this first workshop is Challenges to Implementation. Its goal is to initiate a cross-platform dialogue on the implementation challenges that must be overcome to realize useful adiabatic quantum computations in existing or near-term hardware. The workshop will have an especial focus on AMO (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical) and solid-state technologies.

Registration:

Registration is free of charge, but we ask that all participants register online. This applies even to local participants, such as those from Sandia National Laboratories or UNM.

Important dates:
Hotel reservations: February 27, 2012.
Poster submissions: February 29, 2012.
Workshop registration: February 29, 2012.
Organizing/Program Committee:
Prof. Andrew Landahl (chair)
Dr. Grant Biedermann
Dr. Malcolm Carroll
Dr. Anand Ganti
Dr. Steve Rinaldi
For additional assistance or questions, please contact the AQC 2012 organizers at or see the workshop website at https://share.sandia.gov/aqc2012/

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Quantum Information Tenure-Track Position at University of Ottawa

University of Ottawa
Tenure-track position in quantum algorithms, quantum cryptography and quantum information theory
http://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/jobs/3588

With its strategic location at the heart of Canada’s capital, its broad variety of teaching and research initiatives offered in the two official languages, the cosmopolitan environment, and its national perspective, the University of Ottawa is truly Canada’s University. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Ottawa invites applications to fill one tenure-track position in quantum algorithms, quantum cryptography and quantum information theory at the Assistant level starting July 1, 2012. We are seeking a candidate who has a proven track-record in research and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and will be willing and able to supervise graduate students upon arrival. Preference will be given to bilingual candidates. Conditions of employment are set by a collective agreement. Information about the department can be found at http://www.science.uottawa.ca/mathstat.

Applicants should forward a curriculum vitae, provide a research plan, and arrange for four confidential letters of recommendation, with one addressing teaching, to be sent directly to Professor Mayer Alvo, Chairman, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada, K1N 6N5. Applicants are also encouraged to include copies of up to three of their most significant publications. The closing date for receipt of applications is March 15 2012 or until the position is filled. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Equity is a University of Ottawa policy; women, aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of Ottawa is justly proud of its 150-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Second Language Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.

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Postdoctoral Position in Quantum Computation

Applications are invited for a two year postdoctoral position in Quantum Computation at the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT), Singapore. The position is associated with the research group of Joe Fitzsimons and located at CQT on the campus of the National University of Singapore. CQT is one of the leading centres for quantum computing research in the world, and there is ample opportunity to interact with many senior researchers.

Candidates should be creative, highly motivated, and interested to work in an interdisciplinary and very collaborative environment. The candidate will have a PhD in theoretical physics, theoretical computer science or mathematics and have a strong background in quantum computation, ideally with experience with the measurement based model.

Applications should consist of a full CV, list of publications, a brief statement of research interests (one page) and names and electronic contact details of three referees. Applications and informal inquiries should be sent via email to Joe Fitzsimons (joe.fitzsimons [at] nus.edu.sg). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Postdoc Position at Stony Brook

Postdoctoral Position in Quantum Information Science at C. N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, Stony Brook University

The C. N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stony Brook University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in quantum information science with anticipated appointment date of September 1, 2012.

The Institute has a long tradition of interaction with the Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Mathematics. Research in theoretical physics and related fields at the University is also enriched by the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics.

The current interest in quantum information science includes, but is not limited to, quantum computational models (such as measurement-based, topological, and adiabatic), quantum entanglement in many-body systems, theoretical investigation of various physical systems for quantum information processing, and applications of tensor product states. Required: Ph.D. in Physics or related field.

To apply, upload curriculum vitae, publication list, research plan, and arrange to have three letters of reference submitted online at: http://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/1342

Alternatively, submit the applications materials listed above to: Search Chair, Postdoctoral Associate (7077) Search, C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, Mathematics Building, Room 6118,
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3840.

Review of applications will begin January 15, 2012, and continue until the position is filled.

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

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IQIM Postdoc Deadline Approaching

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has established the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), a Physics Frontiers Center supported by the National Science Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. IQIM investigators, spanning Caltech’s departments of physics, applied physics, and computer science, conduct theoretical and experimental research in quantum information science, quantum many-body physics, quantum optics, and the quantum mechanics of mechanical systems.

The IQIM invites applications for postdoctoral scholar positions. For access to the online application website and a list of the participating IQIM faculty, see http://www.iqim.caltech.edu Review of applications begins on December 1, 2011. Please share this information with potential candidates.

Further information about the IQIM can be found at
http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/13463
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=1125565

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APS March Meeting Deadline 11/11/11

I am writing to encourage your participation in the 2012 APS March Meeting in Boston on February 27 through March 2. Note that the meeting is earlier than usual this year and the deadline for submission of abstracts is correspondingly earlier: November 11, 2011.

This year, the APS Topical Group on Quantum Information (GQI) will sponsor or co-sponsor seven sessions of invited talks:
Topological quantum computing with Majorana fermions (Jason Alicea, Jay Deep Sau, Leo Kouwenhoven, Anton Akhmerov, Piet Brouwer)
Quantum entanglement in many-body systems (Eugene Polzik, Frank Verstraete, Dietrich Leibfried, Xiao-Gang Wen, Scott Aaronson)
Quantum simulations (Ian Spielman, Rainer Blatt, Steven Girvin, Mohammad Hafezi, Ehud Altman)
Quantum computing with superconducting circuits (Irfan Siddiqi, Chris Wilson, Matthias Steffen, Matteo Mariantoni, Matthew Reed)
Quantum information processing in diamond (Fedor Jelezco, Kai-Mei Fu, Jack Harris, Hannes Bernien, Lee Bassett)
Silicon spin qubits (Christie Simmons, Mark Gyure, Jarryd Pla, Wayne Witzel, Xuedong Hu)
Teaching quantum information science at liberal arts colleges (Benjamin Schumacher, Michael Westmoreland, William Wootters, Herbert Bernstein, Enrique Galvez)

In addition, there will be GQI-sponsored Focus Sessions including both invited and contributed talks. More information about the Focus Sessions is here:
http://www.aps.org/meetings/march/scientific/focus3.cfm#17.1.1
We are eager to receive contributions relating to all aspects of quantum information science, not just the topics represented in the Focus Sessions.

To register and submit an abstract go to:
http://www.aps.org/meetings/march/
To ensure that your talk is scheduled in an appropriate session, you should flag your abstract with the proper Focus Topic or Sorting Category, chosen from the list appended below.

The March Meeting is a valuable opportunity for quantum information enthusiasts to exchange ideas with the broader physics community, and to raise the visibility of our field. This year’s meeting will be especially exciting, and your participation is vitally important. I and the rest of the GQI Executive Committee look forward to seeing you in Boston.

John Preskill
Chair-elect of APS Topical Group on Quantum Information

GQI FOCUS TOPICS:
17.1.1 Superconducting Qubits
17.1.2 Quantum Optics with Superconducting Circuits
17.1.3 Semiconductor Qubits
17.1.4 Quantum Information for Quantum Foundations
17.1.5 Qubits in Diamond
17.1.6 Topologically Protected Qubits

GQI SORTING CATEGORIES:
17.2 Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Communication, and Quantum Measurement
17.3 Quantum Entanglement
17.4 Quantum Computing, Quantum Algorithms, and Quantum Simulation
17.5 Quantum Error Correction and Quantum Control
17.6 Open Quantum Systems and Decoherence
17.7 Physical Implementations of Qubits
17.8 Foundations of Quantum Theory

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