PHYSICS-458/558-m.forbes-2026-08-19-09-10-37
Quantum Technologies and Computing Lab
PHYSICS 458/558
Semester and Year [tbd]
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 458: PHYSICS 450 or equivalent (e.g., University of Idaho PHYS 4620 via the WSU–UI cooperative program), or instructor permission. PHYSICS 558: graduate standing and quantum mechanics at the level of PHYSICS 450, or instructor permission. PHYSICS 455/555 is a recommended pre- or co-requisite for both levels. Introductory Qiskit experience is recommended preparation.
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Meeting Pattern: two hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of laboratory per week.
Modality: in person with synchronous remote participation (see Delivery Modes and 8-Day Hands-On Intensive experience for remote participants below).
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [tbd]
Instructor Office Hours: [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [tbd]
Course Description
This laboratory course provides advanced undergraduate and graduate students a hands-on education in foundational quantum principles and general aspects of modern quantum applications. As part of the Certificate Program in Quantum Science and Technology, the topics covered in this course prepare students for employment in the quantum workforce. Experiments have been selected to emphasize clarity of physics principles, the effects and mitigation of environmental noise, and general laboratory skills.
Students will perform a series of seminal quantum optics experiments to gain a clear understanding of quantum correlation, entanglement, and decoherence; and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments where they will learn the basic techniques underlying quantum spin control, e.g., for trapped-ion systems. In NMR experiments, students will learn to design radio frequency circuits, to program radio frequency control signals, and to implement standard data analysis techniques including fast Fourier transforms, numerical integration, and model fitting.
Additional experiments in laser frequency locking and saturated absorption spectroscopy teach students principles of active electronic control schemes. In the computational portions of the lab, students will manage decoherence in quantum information systems by programming error-correcting codes in Qiskit, learn the basics of quantum many-body systems by numerically simulating the NMR experiments, numerically model continuous quantum systems, and analyze data for research-grade ion-trap experiments.
Course Materials
Reading Materials: All reading materials for this course are free and open-source, including manuals for the ThorLabs Quantum Optics Kit and Polarization-Entanglement Extension Kit, Qiskit Official Documentation, and provided notes and technical writings. All reading materials or links to materials are provided via Canvas.
Fees: $100 laboratory fee for students completing the weekly on-campus laboratories.
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
|
Explain the core principles of quantum mechanics that underlie modern quantum technologies, including superposition, entanglement, measurement, and decoherence. |
Quantum optics, quantum computing, and NMR portions of the curriculum. | Understanding is assessed with quizzes and lab reports. |
|
Perform and interpret laboratory measurements demonstrating quantum phenomena such as light quantization, entanglement, coherent states, spin precession, magnetic resonance, and nonlinear light-matter interactions. |
Quantum optics, quantum computing, and NMR portions of the curriculum. | Performance is assessed with lab reports. |
|
Communicate quantum concepts and experimental results effectively in written technical reports (PHYSICS 458 and 558) and oral presentations (PHYSICS 558). |
Students are required to write weekly lab reports communicating the results of their experiments. Graduate final projects include an oral presentation. | Reports are graded using a rubric emphasizing standard principles of scientific communication. |
|
Apply the operating principles of quantum computing, quantum information science, and quantum simulation to scientific and technological research, development and implementation. |
Final projects offer the opportunity to apply learned knowledge and technical skills to novel scientific and technological research, development and implementation. |
Performance is assessed with a lab report and a presentation. |
|
Perform technical laboratory skills including basic optical and electronic circuit design, coincidence detection, and mechanical and electronic system control. |
All physical experiments teach at least one of the laboratory skills listed. Application of each skill is repeated in differing contexts to reinforce student learning. |
Performance is assessed with lab reports. |
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Use computational tools to simulate and analyze quantum systems and quantum algorithms. |
Lessons titled Noisy Quantum Codes, Many-Body QM, and Schrodinger Equation |
Performance is assessed with lab reports. |
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Run quantum algorithms on a quantum platform. |
A quantum algorithm is run on a physical quantum computer through a cloud based service - Noisy Quantum Codes. |
Performance is assessed with lab reports. |
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Identify metrological/sensing advantages within real lab data. |
Analyzing real ion-trap sensor data to identify quantum advantage for sensing applications. |
Performance is assessed with lab reports. |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Introduction/ Lab Safety | Laboratory Safety Modules, Assigned Reading |
Completion of Modules, Reading Quiz |
| Week 2 [dates] |
Experimental Principles | Photon Detection Experiments | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 3 [dates] |
Quantization of Light | Single Photon Experiments | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 4 [dates] |
Entanglement | Entangled Photon Experiments | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 5 [dates] |
Decoherence | Walk-off and Deutsch-Josza Experiments | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 6 [dates] |
Noisy Quantum Codes | Implement Error Correcting Code in Qiskit | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 7 [dates] |
Many-Body QM | NMR Simulations | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 8 [dates] |
RF Electronics | RF Signal Generation, Detection, and Amplification | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 9 [dates] |
NMR | NMR Experiments | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 10 [dates] |
Schrodinger Equation | Write a Numerical Solver to the Schrodinger Equation | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 11 [dates] |
Active Electronic Control | Lock a Laser to an External Cavity | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 12 [dates] |
Saturated Absorption Spectroscopy | Use an ECDL to Measure Lamb Peak | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 13 [dates] |
Sensor Data Analysis | Analyze Trapped-Ion Data | Lab Report, Reading Quiz |
| Week 14 [dates] |
Final Project | Perform Final Experiment | |
| Week 15 [dates] |
Final Project | Presentations (Graduate Students Only) | Lab Report, Presentation |
Delivery Modes
This course is offered in two delivery modes that lead to the same learning outcomes, assignments, and grading:
- On-campus mode: students complete the experiments weekly, following the course schedule above, and attend the weekly two-hour session in person.
- Remote mode: students attend the weekly two-hour session synchronously by videoconference and complete the simulation and computation assignments from home during the semester. The physical experiments are then completed during a required 8-day hands-on intensive lab session on the WSU Pullman campus, performing one to two experiments per day with lab reports written in the evenings.
The intensive is scheduled [dates — to be set with the Registrar] so that all course work is completed before the University grade-submission deadline. Enrollment in the intensive is limited to approximately [12–16] students per session to ensure equipment access and laboratory safety. Students must complete all required laboratory safety training before participating, and are responsible for travel and lodging [on-campus housing options to be listed]. Remote-track students take quizzes during the synchronous session, or via Canvas with proctoring if accommodation is needed.
Expectations for Student Effort
Approximately nine hours of work are expected in each week. Two hours per week are reserved for quizzes and instruction for the following week's lab. Quizzes will be open physical note, not digital. Any remaining time within those two hours are an open forum for asking questions related to the class. Of the remaining seven hours, students are expected to spend approximately two hours on assigned readings, three hours to perform experiments and computations, and two hours to write each report. Lab groups consist of two to three students. Groups and the lab schedule are decided in the first class session. Groups and schedules may be changed if needed. Each student submits their own lab report. All lab reports are required to be written in LaTeX.
Graduate students are required to perform a final experiment which they design, report, and present during final two weeks of the semester. Undergraduate students will perform a final pre-designed experiment and submit a written report during the final two weeks of the semester.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students (PHYSICS 558)
- Design, perform, report, and orally present an independent final experiment (undergraduate students complete a pre-designed final experiment and written report).
- Include in each lab report, an extended discussion connecting results to the primary research literature, with citations.
- Apply research-level uncertainty and error analysis.
These requirements represent additional graduate-level work beyond the PHYSICS 458 baseline and provide the differentiation required of conjoint 400/500-level courses.
Grading
No credit will be given for any assignment until the Laboratory Safety Modules have been completed.
Graduate student lab reports will be graded on a graduate level rubric. Undergraduate student lab reports will be graded on an undergraduate level rubric. Both rubrics are provided on Canvas. The graduate rubric additionally requires connecting results to the primary research literature (with citations) and research-level uncertainty analysis.
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 52 | 10 |
| Lab Reports | 240 | 72 |
| Final Report | 20 | 9 |
| Final Presentation | 20 | 9 |
Assignment Breakdown (Undergraduate)
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 52 | 15 |
| Lab Reports | 260 | 85 |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
90 |
C | 60 |
| A- | 85 | C- | 55 |
| B+ | 80 | D+ | 50 |
| B | 75 | D | 40 |
| B- | 70 | F | <40 |
| C+ | 65 |
Final grades will be rounded down to the nearest percent.
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Students are expected to be present for the two hour course meeting times each week. Remote-track students attend the weekly session synchronously by videoconference and are held to the same attendance expectations. Absences covered by WSU Academic Regulations 72 will be accommodated with reasonable make-up opportunities for quizzes and laboratory work. For other absences, students must contact the instructor in advance whenever possible: make-up opportunities for unexcused absences are at the instructor’s discretion. Students are expected to work with their group during their agreed upon lab hours and communicate with their group if they cannot be present. Late lab reports will be deducted 1% of their score for every hour they are late.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
- Receive a zero for the assignment on which you cheated
- Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
- Have the right to appeal the instructor's decision
- Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask the instructor.
If you want to ask for a change in the instructors decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.
University Syllabus
Students are responsible for reading and understanding all university-wide policies and resources pertaining to all courses (for instance: accommodations, care resources, policies on discrimination or harassment), which can be found in the university syllabus.