You Down With Symmetry? You Know Me

For those local to Seattle, I'm talking tomorrow in the Paul Allen center:

TIME: 1:30 -- 2:30 pm, Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009

PLACE: CSE 503

SPEAKER: Dave Bacon, University of Washington

TITLE: Symmetry in Quantum Algorithms

ABSTRACT:

Quantum computers can outperform their classical brethren at a variety of algorithmic tasks. Uncovering exactly when quantum computers can exponentially outperform classical computers is one of the central questions facing the theory of quantum algorithms today. In this talk I will argue that a key piece of this puzzle is the role played by symmetry in quantum algorithms. I will show how this point of view can be used to make progress in finding new quantum algorithms. This talk will assume no prior knowledge of quantum theory, but hopefully by the end of the talk you will have enough to begin to understand quantum algorithms.