COMPLETE NOTES

ON

QUANTUM
COMPUTING
Introduction to Quantum Computing: Quantum Algorithms and Qiskit

📘 About the Course

Unlike classical computers, quantum computers can efficiently solve certain complex
problems that are computationally infeasible using classical methods.

This course provides:

Strong theoretical foundation in quantum computation

Understanding of quantum circuit model
Study of major quantum algorithms
Introduction to Quantum Error Correction
Hands-on programming using Qiskit and IBM Quantum tools

This is a Medium to Hard level course because:

➡ Around 42% of serious exam candidates

successfully earn the certificate.
🏆 Certificate Categories

Final Score Certificate Type

≥ 90 Elite + Gold

75 – 89 Elite + Silver

≥ 60 Elite

40 – 59 Successfully Completed

Certificate includes:
 Your name
Photograph
Final score
Official verification via NPTEL

→ Only e-certificate is issued.

📚 4-Week Course Layout
Week Topics Covered

Week 1 Introduction, IBM Quantum Perspective, Q Mission in India, Quantum Basics

Week 2 IBM Quantum Composer, Quantum Lab, Qiskit Programming

Week 3 Quantum Algorithms (Deutsch–Jozsa, Grover’s Algorithm, Hands-on

Implementation)

Week 4 Quantum Error Correction, NISQ Algorithms (VQE/QAOA), Industrial

Applications

🌟 Week 1:
Part 1: What is Quantum Computing?

What is Computing?
A computer is a machine that processes information.

A classical computer (like your laptop or phone) uses bits.

A bit can be either:
0
1

What is Quantum Computing?

A quantum computer is a computer that uses the rules of quantum mechanics (the physics
of very tiny particles like atoms and electrons).

Instead of bits, it uses qubits (quantum bits).

👉 A qubit can be:

0
1
 or both at the same time (this is called superposition)

That is what makes quantum computing special!

Classical vs Quantum Computing

Feature Classical Computer Quantum Computer

Basic Unit Bit Qubit

Bit Values 0 or 1 0, 1, or both at the same time

Example Laptop, phone Special quantum machines

Speed Fast for normal tasks Can be extremely fast for special problems

Part 2: Basic Principles of Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is based on three major ideas:

Part 3: The Three Postulates of Quantum Mechanics
Part 4: Understanding Qubits Deeply
The standard basis:

|0⟩
|1⟩
But other bases exist!

Example:

Part 5: Why Do We Need Quantum Computing?

→ Quantum computers are not meant to replace your laptop.

They are useful for special tasks like:

Drug discovery
Climate modeling
Breaking or improving encryption
Solving very complex math problems

Companies like IBM are building quantum computers and allowing people to test them
through the cloud.

Part 6: Types of Quantum Computing Models

Feature Gate-Based Adiabatic Topological

Uses Gates? ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No

Uses Energy ❌ No ✅ Yes ❌ No
Minimization?

Uses Special ❌ No ❌ No ✅ Yes

Particles?

Stability Medium Medium Very High

Development Stage Advanced Commercial (limited) Research stage

Quantum Gates
 Gate Name Symbol What It Does (Simple) Small Circuit Diagram

Hadamard H Creates superposition q0 ── [ H ]──

(0 → 0 & 1 together)

Pauli-X X Flips the qubit (0 ↔ 1) q0 ── [ X ]──

Pauli-Z Z Changes phase (affects q0 ── [ Z ]──

interference)

CNOT ● ⊕ If control = 1, flip target q0 ────

●
(Controlled- │
NOT) q1 ──⊕──

Measurement M Gives final output (0 or 1) q0

── [M ]

Purpose Circuit Diagram Result

Create Superposition q0 ── [ H ]── [ M ] 50% → 0 and 50% → 1

Flip Qubit q0 ──[ X ]──[M ] 0 becomes 1

q0 ──[ H ]──●──
Create Entanglement Qubits become linked
│
q1 ────── ⊕─
Concept Meaning

Quantum Circuit Sequence of quantum gates

Single-Qubit Gate Works on one qubit (H, X, Z)

Two-Qubit Gate Works on two qubits (CNOT)

Measurement Converts qubit to classical bit

Part 7: IBM Quantum Perspective

IBM Quantum is a major initiative by IBM to develop real quantum computers.
They:

Build real quantum machines

Allow students and researchers to use them online
Provide learning platforms like Qiskit

Part 8: Q Mission in India

India has started working seriously on quantum technology under national missions.
One example is the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications.

→ Goals include:

Building quantum computers in India

Training students
Supporting research
Creating quantum-secure
communication

Part 9: Quantum Computing Applications

Area Problem Today How Quantum Computing Helps

Medicine Scientists must test millions of Simulates molecules faster and

molecule combinations to find new helps discover medicines more
drugs. quickly.

Cybersecurity Some current encryption methods Can create ultra-secure

may be broken by powerful communication systems using
computers. quantum physics.

Traffic & Finding the best delivery routes Optimizes routes, improves
Logistics and managing traffic is complex. traffic flow, and reduces fuel use.

Climate & Weather and climate systems are Simulates complex weather
Weather very complicated to model. systems and climate change
models more accurately.

Part 10: Stern-Gerlach Experiment

Part 11: Uncertainty Principle

🌟 Week 2
Programming using IBM Quantum
Experience & Circuit Composer
IBMQuantumprovidesan onlineplatformwhereyoucan:

Access real quantum computers

Run quantum circuits
Use simulators
Learn quantum programming
What is Circuit Composer?
Circuit Composer is a drag-and-drop visual tool.

You can:

Add qubits
Place quantum gates
Run the circuit
See measurement results

It is beginner-friendly because:

No coding required
You can visually understand circuits

Basic Steps in Circuit Composer

1. Add qubits (usually start with 1 or 2)
2. Apply quantum gates (like H, X, CNOT)
3. Add measurement
4. Run the circuit
5. View output (probability histogram)

Quantum Gates

Gate Function

X Flips 0 ↔ 1

H (Hadamard) Creates superposition

Z Phase flip

CNOT Creates entanglement

Quantum Computing Concepts:

Entanglement & Interference
🔗 Entanglement
🎯 Why Entanglement is Important
Used in quantum teleportation
Used in quantum cryptography
Used in quantum algorithms

Interference
Interference happens because quantum states have amplitudes, not just probabilities.

Amplitudes can:

Add (constructive interference)

Cancel (destructive interference)

Imagine two waves:

If they match → bigger wave

If opposite → cancel

Quantum algorithms use this to:

Increase correct answers

Cancel wrong answers
Programming with Qiskit
Qiskit is an open-source Python library developed by IBM.

It allows you to:

Create quantum circuits

Run them on simulators
Run on real IBM quantum hardware
Analyze results

🌟 Week 3
What is an Oracle?
In quantum algorithms,anoracleislikeablack box function.

🎁 You give it input

📦 It gives output
❓ But you don’t know how it works inside
Quantum algorithms use oracles cleverly to get answers faster than classical computers.

Topic What It Solves Status

Deutsch–Jozsa Algorithm Checks if a function is constant or Completed

balanced

Bernstein–Vazirani Algorithm Finds a hidden secret string Not Started

Grover’s Search Algorithm Searches unsorted data faster Completed

Grover Programming Hands-on implementation Completed

Quantum Algorithms
🌟 Week 4

Error Types in QEC

Error Type Operator Meaning

Bit-Flip X 0↔1

Phase-Flip Z Changes phase

Both Y=i XZ Bit + Phase error

NISQ-Era Quantum Algorithms Key Features of NISQ Algorithms

NISQ= Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum Hybrid (quantum + classical)

devices. Shallow circuits
Variational methods
Error mitigation instead of full error
→ Term introduced by John Preskill. correction

Characteristics: Limitations

50–1000 qubits Gate errors

Noisy gates Measurement noise
Limited coherence time No large-scale fault-tolerant
No full fault tolerance computation
What the General QEC Condition Ensures

Property Meaning

Error Detectable Different errors give different syndromes

Logical States Preserved Encoded states remain distinguishable

No Information Loss Quantum information remains protected

 Quantum Computing Interview
Questions & Answers (Freshers)

1. What is quantum computing?

Quantum computing uses principles of quantum mechanics
to process information using qubits instead of bits.
2. What is the difference between a bit and a qubit?
A bit is 0 or 1, while a qubit can be 0, 1, or both at the same
time (superposition).
3. What is superposition?
Superposition means a qubit can exist in multiple states
simultaneously until measured.
4. What is entanglement?
Entanglement links qubits so that the state of one instantly
affects the other.
5. Why is quantum computing powerful?
It can solve certain complex problems much faster than
classical computers.
6. What are quantum gates?
Quantum gates are operations that change the state of
qubits.
7. What is a Hadamard (H) gate?
It creates superposition by turning a definite state into a
50–50 probability state.
8. What does the Pauli-X gate do?
It flips a qubit from 0 to 1 or 1 to 0 (like a NOT gate).
9. What is a CNOT gate?
A two-qubit gate where the target flips if the control qubit is 1.
10. What is measurement in quantum computing?
Measurement converts a qubit into a classical bit (0 or 1).
11. What is a quantum circuit?
A sequence of quantum gates applied to qubits to perform
a computation.
12. What is interference?
Interference uses wave-like behavior to amplify correct
results and cancel wrong ones.
13. What is an oracle in quantum algorithms?
An oracle is a black-box function used to hide information
in algorithms.
14. What is the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm?
It checks whether a function is constant or balanced in
one step.
15. What is Grover’s algorithm?
It searches unsorted data faster than classical algorithms.
16. What is Bernstein–Vazirani algorithm?
It finds a hidden binary string efficiently using quantum
queries.
17. What is Qiskit?
Qiskit is an open-source Python library used to program
quantum computers.
18. Who developed Qiskit?
Qiskit was developed by IBM.
19. What is IBM Quantum?
IBM Quantum provides cloud access to real quantum
computers.
20. What is IBM Quantum Composer?
A drag-and-drop visual tool to build and run quantum
circuits without coding.
21. What are NISQ devices?
NISQ devices are noisy quantum computers with limited
qubits and coherence.
22. Who introduced the term NISQ?
The term NISQ was introduced by John Preskill.
23. What does NISQ stand for?
Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum.
24. What is quantum error correction?
Techniques used to protect quantum information from
errors.
25. What is a bit-flip error?
An error where a qubit changes from 0 to 1 or vice versa.
26. What is a phase-flip error?
An error that changes the phase of a qubit without
changing its value.
27. What is VQE?
Variational Quantum Eigensolver is a hybrid quantum-
classical algorithm.
28. What is QAOA?
Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm solves
optimization problems.
29. Are quantum computers replacing classical
computers?
No, they are used only for specific complex problems.
30. Why did you take the NPTEL Quantum Computing
course?
To gain strong fundamentals, hands-on Qiskit experience,
and exposure to real quantum hardware via NPTEL.