48
Electromagnetic Fields
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and practical tools necessary to understand and design devices and systems based on quantum phenomena.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the principles of quantum electrodynamics and their applications in quantum computing, communication, and sensing;
- Apply computational methods and software tools for the analysis and optimization of quantum devices;
- Recognize the role of electromagnetic engineering in the development and integration of emerging quantum technologies.
Course Prerequisites
Basic courses in Mathematical Analysis and Physics
Teaching Methods
Lectures
Computer-based exercises
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of the preparation of a short thesis, agreed upon with the Instructor, related to one or more topics covered during the course, such as quantum electrodynamics, quantization of electromagnetic fields, the Hamiltonian formalism, quantum information, and applications in quantum communications, quantum computing, and quantum sensing.
The oral examination includes the discussion of the thesis and an interview on the course topics, with the aim of assessing the student’s ability to:
- understand and apply the theoretical contents of the course;
- interpret models and formalisms of quantum electrodynamics and quantum information;
- critically evaluate different theoretical and computational approaches;
- communicate the acquired knowledge using appropriate scientific language and clearly and rigorously present the theoretical contents of the course.
Typically, two questions are asked, each of which is evaluated with a score ranging from 18 to 30. The final grade corresponds to the arithmetic mean of the scores obtained in the different questions. It is possible that one of the answers may be required in written form during the oral examination, limited to the discussion of theoretical or formal aspects.
Evaluation criteria
30 – 30 cum laude: Complete, in-depth, and critical knowledge of the course topics, with particular reference to quantum electrodynamics, quantization of electromagnetic fields, and quantum information; excellent command of scientific terminology; original and in-depth interpretative ability; full autonomy in applying theoretical concepts to advanced contexts and problems.
26 – 29: Complete and in-depth knowledge of the topics covered; excellent command of scientific terminology; effective interpretative ability; autonomy in applying theoretical models to the analysis of the proposed problems.
24 – 25: Good knowledge of the course topics; good command of scientific terminology; correct and confident interpretative ability; ability to correctly apply most of the acquired theoretical concepts.
21 – 23: Adequate knowledge of the topics, with limited mastery of some contents; satisfactory command of scientific terminology; correct interpretative ability; limited ability to independently apply the acquired knowledge.
18 – 20: Basic knowledge of the main topics of the course; elementary understanding of scientific terminology; sufficient interpretative ability; ability to apply the basic notions acquired.
Fail: Serious gaps in the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the course and inability to apply the basic knowledge acquired.
Texts
W. C. Chew, “Lectures on Electromagnetic Field Theory”, Lecture Notes, Purdue University, 2022.
T. E. Roth, “Fundamentals of Quantum Technology,” Lecture Notes, Purdue University, 2022.
D. J. Griffiths and D. F. Schroeter, “Introduction to Quantum Mechanics”, Cambridge University Press, 2018.
M. Nielsen and I. Chuang, “Quantum computation and quantum information”, Cambridge University Press, 2000.
M. M. Wilde, “Quantum information theory”, Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Contents
The course aims to provide advanced theoretical training on the fundamentals of quantum electrodynamics and quantum information, with particular emphasis on the quantum description of electromagnetic fields and on emerging applications in quantum communications, quantum computing, and quantum sensing. The course introduces the Hamiltonian formalism and the quantization of electromagnetic systems, highlighting the connection between classical and quantum phenomena, as well as the role of decoherence, entanglement, and quantum noise in real physical systems.
The main teaching activities include:
- Introduction to quantum electrodynamics (0.5 ECTS): importance of quantum electrodynamics; connection between electromagnetic oscillations and the simple pendulum as a model system.
- Hamiltonian theory and quantization (1 ECTS): Hamiltonian formulation of physical systems; Schrödinger equation; principles of quantization applied to electromagnetic systems.
- Hamiltonian formulation and quantum theory of Maxwell’s equations (1.5 ECTS): Hamiltonian formulation of Maxwell’s equations; quantization of the electromagnetic field; quantum theory of Maxwell’s equations.
- Fundamentals of quantum information (1 ECTS): foundations of quantum information science; density matrix formalism; pure and mixed states; density operator and density matrix.
- Quantum information and communications (1 ECTS): decoherence and quantum noise; entanglement; quantum communications; quantum key distribution; quantum teleportation.
- Quantum computing and sensing (1 ECTS): basic components of a quantum computer; quantum algorithms and optimization techniques; quantum sensors; squeezed states; ghost imaging.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and understanding: Upon successful completion of the examination, the student has knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of quantum electrodynamics and quantum information, including the quantum description of electromagnetic fields, light–matter interaction at the quantum level, and the basic principles underlying quantum communication, computation, and sensing systems.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Upon successful completion of the examination, the student is able to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge to the analysis of quantum electromagnetic systems, to use the Hamiltonian formalism and field quantization techniques, and to interpret quantum phenomena such as decoherence, entanglement, and quantum noise in realistic physical and engineering scenarios.
Making judgments: To successfully pass the examination, the student must be able to independently assess different theoretical and computational approaches for the analysis of quantum systems, selecting the most appropriate methods with respect to the physical assumptions, technological constraints, and objectives of the problem under consideration.
Communication skills: The course and the examination help the student to develop the ability to clearly and rigorously communicate key concepts and challenges related to quantum electrodynamics and quantum technologies, using appropriate technical terminology and interacting effectively with specialists from related disciplines.
Learning skills: Upon successful completion of the examination, the student is able to autonomously update their knowledge through the study of scientific articles, technical manuals, and documentation in English, and to further explore new methodologies and emerging topics in the field of quantum technologies.
More information
Teams code: qv6eenx