Please join us for the QSE Center Quantum Seminar with Robin Blume-Kohout from Sandia National Labs who will give the talk \"Assessing performance of logical operations with detector error models\" and Benoit Vermersch from Quobly and UGA who will give the talk \"Randomized measurements for large-scale quantum experiments\" on Friday April 24 from 11:30 to 13:30.
\r\nLocation: GR B3 30
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\r\n11:30-12:20 Benoit Vermersch
\r\n12:20-12:40: Pizza lunch
\r\n12:40-13:30: Robin Blume-Khout
\r\nAll PhDs, postdocs, students, group leaders, and PIs are welcome to join us.
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\r\nABSTRACT:
\r\n1. \"Assessing performance of logical operations with detector error models\" - Robin Blume-Kohout
\r\nQuantum computing is rapidly transitioning from the “NISQ” paradigm in which circuits and gates are executed directly on physical qubits to a fault tolerant “FTQC” paradigm in which circuits and gates are executed on encoded, error-corrected logical qubits. We want to model errors in gates. Logic gates on physical qubits are modeled by process matrices, derived from theory or estimated from tomography. But describing logical gates on logical qubits demands a richer model — specifically, detector error models — that can describe QEC syndrome data. I’ll introduce detector error models and summarize three recent papers in which we show how to estimate detector error models from data [https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.14643], how to simulate arbitrary small Markovian errors in Clifford circuits [https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.15128], and how to generate detector error models from arbitrary circuit-level Markovian errors [https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.18457].
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\r\n2. \"Randomized measurements for large-scale quantum experiments\" - Benoit Vermersch
\r\nThe randomized measurements toolbox is now routinely used in quantum experiments to estimate fundamental quantum properties, such as entanglement [1].
\r\nWhile experimentalists appreciate the simplicity and robustness aspects of such measurement protocols, a challenge for theorists is to design strategies for overcoming statistical errors using \"cheap\" polynomial resources in system size.
\r\nIn this context, I will present recent upgrades to the randomized measurements toolbox that address this challenge for large-scale quantum states that are relevant to the field of quantum simulation. In particular, I will discuss efficient protocols for measuring entanglement [2] and performing state tomography [3].
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\r\n[1] A. Elben, S. T. Flammia, H.-Y. Huang, R. Kueng, J. Preskill, B. Vermersch, and P. Zoller, The Randomized Measurement Toolbox, Nat Rev Phys 5, 9 (2022).
\r\n[2] B. Vermersch, M. Ljubotina, J. I. Cirac, P. Zoller, M. Serbyn, and L. Piroli, Many-Body Entropies and Entanglement from Polynomially Many Local Measurements, Phys. Rev. X 14, 031035 (2024).
\r\n[3] M. Votto, M. Ljubotina, C. Lancien, J. Ignacio Cirac, P. Zoller, M. Serbyn, L. Piroli, B. Vermersch, arXiv:2507.12550
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\r\nBIOS:
\r\nRobin Blume-Kohout was born on a kitchen table in the Alaska Bush almost (but not quite) 50 years ago. Unfortunately, things went downhill thereafter. He is now the founder and codirector of Sandia’s Quantum Performance Lab (QPL), where he and his fellow malcontents dream up new ways to assess and enhance the performance of quantum computers and their components.
\r\nBenoit Vermersch is an associate professor at the University of Grenoble Alpes, member of the LPMMC currently on leave in the quantum startup Quobly Research interests include implementations of quantum processing units with cold atoms, trapped ions, superconducting qubits; measurement protocols for entanglement-related quantities, out-of-time ordered correlators, topological invariants; many-body entanglement theory; quantum networks: Light-matter interfaces, quantum state transfer protocols, waveguide quantum electrodynamics; and tensor-network numerical methods: Matrix-Product-States and DMRG,TEBD related algorithms.
Thesis Director: Prof. G. De Micheli,
\r\nComputer and Communication Sciences doctoral program
\r\nThesis Nr. 11412
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\r\nTo take part in the public defense, please contact directly the speaker
Join us for a community event presenting the first outcomes of the review phase of the s’EPanouir-FLourish initiative that will take place on Monday 27th of April from 13h30-15h30. The event can also be followed online.
\r\nSince room capacity is limited, attendance on site will be first-come first-served. For logistical reasons, we kindly ask you to signal your intention to attend (on site or online) via the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/gMCxd941Lp
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\r\nDuring this event, Nicolas Grandjean, Associate Vice President for Education (AVPE), and the chairs of the Working Groups will present the main points of the Draft Feasibility Report, which is now open for feedback from teachers, sections and students.
\r\nThe session will consist of short 5‑minute presentations for each topic, followed by time for Q&A and brief small‑group discussions. Participants will also be able to share individual feedback via an online form.
\r\nThe report can be accessed online with your EPFL e-mail.
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\r\nAgenda:
\r\n13h30 – Opening remarks
\r\n13h35 – Basic educational goals and design features (Chapter 1)
\r\n14h00 – Bachelor program: thinking deeply and engaging with complexity (Chapter 2)
\r\n14h25 – Mastery and depth in first-year core disciplines (Chapter 3)
\r\n14h50 – Resources and support (Chapters 4 and 5)
\r\n15h15 – Next steps
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\r\nWe look forward to seeing you there!
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BRIDGE is a joint programme conducted by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. It offers new funding opportunities at the intersection of basic research and science-based innovation, thereby supplementing the funding activities of the two organizations.
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\r\nBRIDGE Discovery is aimed at experienced researchers who wish to realise a technological innovation with great social or economic impact. They can submit a proposal on their own or as part of a consortium of up to three applicants. The project must be characterised by scientific excellence and a clear vision of a future application.
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\r\nBRIDGE Discovery funds projects for up to 4 years. The maximum total costs must not exceed 850,000 Swiss francs per applicant over four years. Grants cover the salaries of project employees and research costs directly linked to the project.
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\r\nAs of 2025, the letter of intent is no longer a prerequisite for the submission of a Discovery proposal.
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\r\nApplicants must directly submit a full proposal on mysnf.ch.
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\r\nDeadline for the submission of full proposals: 28th April 2026 (5pm Swiss time)
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\r\nFurther details of the schemes, calls and requirements for the BRIDGE funding programme are available on the BRIDGE website.
\r\nMore information:\r\n
We can build the perfect pedagogical tool. But will students actually use and benefit from it?
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\r\nThis session explores a question at the heart of the integration of new technology into education: How can a well-designed pedagogical tool be ideally leveraged to truly make a difference in student learning?
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\r\nFares Fawzi from the ML4ED lab at EPFL will present his development of a GenAI-powered formative feedback tool that is pedagogically aligned, contextually grounded, and interactive.
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\r\nDeployed during an in-class session as well as for exam preparation in a computer science course at EPFL, the tool performed as intended: responses were relevant, accurate, and aligned with pedagogical frameworks for feedback delivery.
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\r\nHowever, during this session, we want to invite you to look beyond the pedagogical sophistication of the tool itself, and ask how integration context shapes student engagement and beneficial learning impact.
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\r\nlunch&LEARN sessions are intended for anyone who teaches at EPFL.
\r\nThis session is hybrid and can be attended in person or followed via zoom.
\r\nMost sessions are recorded and can be found on the Center LEARN's YouTube channel.
\r\nTo get in touch with the team, to suggest a session or make inquiries, please send an email on lunchLEARN@groupes.epfl.ch