Whither Quantum Computing?

A working quantum computer would be revolutionary because certain problems, such as simulating quantum materials or factorization, are easily solved on a quantum computer, but such problems are probably forever hard on non-quantum computers no matter how small or how fast. Quantum computing technology is at an early stage so we do not yet know which medium is best. Professor Sanders will discuss the principles of quantum computing, technological efforts for its realization, and applications for when a quantum computer eventually works. This seminar will make these concepts accessible to a non-specialized audience.