Graphs, dynamics and quantum computers

About the lecture

We hear a lot about the development of quantum computers, and about problems that they are particularly good at solving. But what does a quantum computation look like mathematically? Aidan will try to give an informal overview of the elements of quantum computation. He will explain in very informal terms what a quantum computation looks like, and why quantum computation can do things that ordinary computation can’t. Then he’ll try to explain a viewpoint on quantum computation that the quantum mathematics research cluster has been thinking about recently, arising from the abstract mathematics of graph C*-algebras and groupoids.

About the speaker

Aidan grew up on Anaiwan Country (Armidale NSW) and later Awabakal Country (Newcastle NSW), where he completed all his formal studies, obtaining his PhD supervised by Iain Raeburn in 2003. He moved to the Unviersity of Wollongong in Dharawal Country in 2007 and worked there until he joined UNSW here on Bidjigal Country last August. Aidan’s research is in the area of C*-algebras, which studies collections of transformations of infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, particularly in terms of their uses in studying dynamical and combinatorial objects, and in terms of their relationship to ideas from quantum computation and information. He won the AustMS medal in 2016 and was elected to the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2025, and is currently the President of the AustMS.

Schedule

4-5pm: Presentation by Professor Aidan Sims in Room 4082, Anita B. Lawrence Centre, UNSW
5-6pm: Reception with refreshments in Room 3082, Anita B. Lawrence Centre, UNSW

Venue

Please enter the Anita B. Lawrence Centre building via the Centre Wing or East Wing entrances of the School of Mathematics and Statistics (ref: H15 on UNSW campus map).

*Please note that the School of Mathematics and Statistics is not accessible via the West Wing of the building.

Frontiers in Fundamental Mathematics Research Nexus

This event is presented by the UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics and is part of our Frontiers in Fundamental Mathematics Research Nexus series, which aims to highlight fundamental research in the mathematical sciences, with an emphasis on the significance and impact of fundamental mathematics to a diverse range of areas within mathematics and beyond.
Learn more about the Nexus Program.

Accessibility

Please note that the Anita B. Lawrence Building rooms 3082 and 4082 are wheelchair accessible. When you register, please indicate if you have any accessibility requirements and we will get in touch with you to ensure they can be accommodated.

Enquiries

Please contact Jo Bosben if you have any enquiries about this event (j.bosben@unsw.edu.au).